Mat Sadler: Shrewsbury Town defender celebrates 400th appearance

Mat Sadler represented England at U17, U18 and 19 level

Shrewsbury Town defender Mat Sadler says he still takes nothing for granted as he celebrates the 400th appearance of his nine-club professional career.

The 31-year-old is set to reach the milestone in Friday's League One trip to Rochdale.

"I've been very lucky and very blessed to have played football," said Sadler.

"I don't for any second take it for granted when I step on a football pitch. I enjoy it so much and will look to the next 100 to 200 games."

Sadler started his career as a trainee at Birmingham City, the club he supported as a boy.

He made 61 appearances, as well as being loaned to Northampton Town, before a £750,000 move to then Championship side Watford in 2008.

After a three-and-a-half-year stint at Vicarage Road, including half a season at Stockport, then a season-long loan with Shrewsbury in his first stay in Shropshire, he moved on again to Walsall in June 2011.

He then made moves to Crawley (twice - the second time on loan), Rotherham and Oldham (loan) before returning to Shrewsbury in May 2015.

"I hold Shrewsbury in real high regard," he told BBC Radio Shropshire. "I love every time I play for Shrewsbury, it's a good club. I love playing here."