Shrewsbury's Stewart feels 'adjusted' to pro level

Callum Stewart had scored 14 goals in 23 games for Leamington when he joined Shrewsbury in January

Shrewsbury Town forward Callum Stewart says he feels "adjusted" to league football and is "ready to kick on" after scoring his first professional goal for the club.

The 23-year-old is in his first full season as a full-time player having joined Town from National League North side Leamington in January.

He made 15 appearances in League One last term, including three starts, as Shrewsbury ended a difficult campaign bottom of the table and were relegated to the fourth tier.

Stewart's three appearances this campaign have come from the bench with his first goal scored against Swindon in Salop's 2-1 defeat last Saturday.

"It was a nice moment to finally score a competitive goal [and] a little bit of a weight off my shoulders," Stewart told BBC Radio Shropshire.

Signed by Gareth Ainsworth in the January transfer window, Stewart arrived at Town in the midst of the club's relegation battle and having to make the jump up three levels in the process.

He said moving from training a couple of times a week with non-league Leamington to sometimes every day with Shrewsbury was "difficult".

"The first six months in League One was important for me to get used to full-time [football] and I came back in pre-season and wanted to hit the ground running and I think I did that," Stewart said.

"I feel like I'm adjusted now and ready to kick on.

"We've got a good group and they helped me settle in.

"To be fair, everything's been positive - there's not been a hangover [from relegation] around the training ground."

'I want to play. I'm training as hard as I can'

Following Ainsworth's sudden departure to Gillingham a couple of months after his arrival, Stewart had to show new boss Michael Appleton he was worth his place in the first-team squad.

"Every time you get a new manager, it's about building up that relationship and trust," Stewart said.

"Gareth Ainsworth signed me and was brilliant for me but it's the same with this gaffer - he's been brilliant since he came in.

"The change happened - it's football - it's about building up that trust."

Now, after scoring that first goal, Stewart is hoping he will stay in Appleton's plans.

"Every player wants to play every minute of every game," he said.

"But that's football - you have to be patient and I've just got to be ready when my chance comes.

"I want to play. I'm training as hard as I can to get in the team.

"We haven't started as well as we want but we are trying to turn turn the tide a little bit now and get back to winning ways."

Although Town are still waiting for their first win in League Two, they did beat Chelsea's under-21 side in the Vertu Trophy on Tuesday to clinch their first victory of the season.

Stewart said that result felt like it had been coming and has reminded the squad they are capable of coming through their tough start.

"We've had had quite a few losses but there have been positives - especially in the last week," he said.

"Against Swindon, I felt like we could've gone on to win the game.

"On Tuesday, I know it was only an under-21 side but you can only play what's in front of you and there was loads of positives from that.

"We need to get that first win ticked off and then go again."