No-one is sulking in Shrewsbury squad - Hurst

Paul Hurst replaced Matt Taylor as head coach at Shrewsbury in January as he started his second spell in charge

Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst says his players know that going into "sulk mode" if they are not in the team regularly is not an option.

But he said that he was pleased no members of his squad had done that.

Town have made a slow start in League One but picked up an important win against fellow early-season strugglers Crawley at the weekend.

Their 5-3 victory was just their second in 11 league games - secured with two goals apiece from John Marquis and George Lloyd and one from Aristotle Nsiala.

Marquis' goals were his first of the season on his second successive league start, having been on the bench for the previous six matches.

Hurst said the striker's attitude when he was waiting to get back in the side had been excellent.

"At times he's been a little frustrated and I said 'I haven't got a problem with that as long as you train properly'," Hurst, 50, told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"I don't expect you to be the happiest person in the world if you're not in the team and that can be difficult for players because it's a balancing act.

"Sure, be disappointed but show the right attitude and get back in the team.

"They've heard me say it many times before, anyone who wants to go into sulk mode will just push themselves further away from the team and will only get an opportunity if I've got no-one else.

"And in fairness, the players have done that - John has done that."

John Marquis has played more than 500 games in his career

Former Millwall, Doncaster and Portsmouth forward Marquis, 32, joined the Salop in the summer from Bristol Rovers.

He has started five of the eight games he has featured in and Hurst said Marquis was just as valuable in his contributions off the field.

"I said when I brought him in, 'yes it's about what happens on the pitch but it's also around the place'," Hurst added.

"He sometimes gets on at players which is sometimes received well and sometimes not.

"But it can't always be the staff that do that, sometimes it has to be team-mates and there's nothing wrong with that.

"We're trying to drive standards, trying to improve. He gets the game - that's certainly something John's got."

Hurst praises 'proper pro' Winchester

Hurst also highlighted the response from captain Carl Winchester to being out of the side recently.

After missing two games with injury, Winchester came back to start the EFL Trophy defeat by Birmingham City but was on the bench for the Crawley win.

Hurst said it was a "tricky" decision to make but added "his response was exactly what you would want from every player".

"I said 'the lads did well last week [a 2-2 draw at Bolton] in midfield and I'm going to stick with them'," he added.

"He said 'absolutely. They deserve to, they did really well. I'm here for you and to support the team'.

"You couldn't get a better answer.

"He's got a smile on his face. I can an hear him in the dugout behind me. He's a proper pro and he'll play plenty of football for me."

Carl Winchester was named Shrewsbury Town captain at the start of the season