Sam Ricketts knows Shrewsbury Town will be in for physical test against Wycombe Wanderers

The crunch clash in the bottom half of League One, where nine points separate all 12 sides, is a chance for Town to seal a first win in three while their visitors are winless in eight.

Gareth Ainsworth's Chairboys did manage a 1-1 draw against Sunderland last weekend – where they conceded a last minute equaliser – but went down to fellow strugglers Accrington Stanley on Tuesday.

Despite no win since late January, Wycombe still sit 13th in the division but are only four points clear of Ricketts' men, who hope for some home comforts after disappointing back-to-back reverses on the road.

Ricketts feels Town's visitors have a clear style of playing. He said: "They were a bit unlucky in midweek getting beat by Accrington Stanley at home.

"They're a strong, powerful team, very clear on how they're going to play. It's easy for their players to understand.

"We have to be up for the battle and try to impose ourselves on the game as well."

Town's routine was slightly altered this week as they trained on Wednesday – their usual recovery day – after not arriving back from Plymouth until the early hours of the morning.

Ricketts said: "Training's been a little bit different.

"We didn't get back till 3-ish on the Wednesday morning. All of the players stayed over and we trained Wednesday morning with a recovery day Thursday and training again today.

"It's a question of recovery, you can't do too much training. Two games is bad enough but two journeys as well – there is a real big emphasis on recovery to make sure we're ready to run and play with some intensity."

Town have consecutive Montgomery Waters Meadow fixtures against Wycombe and Portsmouth and will be keen to secure some crucial points as their away woes continued over the last seven days.

But the 174 travelling Salopians that supported their side in Devon on Tuesday night won praise from the Town chief. Ricketts added that their support will be a vital factor in Shrewsbury securing League One survival.

"The fans have been great. The number that travelled to Plymouth for a Tuesday night game so far away was phenomenal," he said.

"They were really impressive and the support they gave the team was excellent. It's great to be home, it'll be even better to be home with points on the board.

"The fans' backing is really important. Ultimately the players go out with every intention to win games and play well.

"They don't want to make mistakes. So long as the fans see the effort put in they'll always get behind them.

"If they saw a lack of effort it would be a different case but if they saw maximum effort then – (even) if it doesn't go our way – the support is excellent."