IF BARNET have made any new year resolutions, one will probably be to tighten up at the back.

And one man who might just be able to help in that department is veteran defender Gary Breen.

Manager Ian Hendon is hopeful the ex-Republic of Ireland star will be fit to return for the trip to Shrewsbury Town this Saturday.

Breen has been out injured since the middle of November. And it is perhaps no coincidence the Bees have not won a game since then.

Fellow defenders Ryan O'Neill and Joe Devera are also fit once more, which has afforded Hendon the luxury of being able to allow the on-loan Calum Butcher to return to Spurs this week.

Fellow loanee Craig McAllister, a striker, has also returned to his club, Exeter City.

Hendon is not without his problems for the trip to Shropshire, however.

Dean Sinclair, whose loan period expires after the weekend, will miss the game through suspension. It could also be the last game for winger Yannick Bolasie. His loan period also ends after the match and he could return to Plymouth Argyle next week.

The Bees will be hoping Saturday's match at the New Meadow beats the big freeze currently gripping the country. Barnet had no match last weekend, but this was because scheduled opponents Torquay United were involved in the FA Cup.

Shrewsbury are gunning for promotion. They sit fourth in the table, but have played more games than any other team in League Two.

The Shrews won 1-0 at Chesterfield on Saturday, despite playing the final half-hour with just ten men.

Go to www.times-series.co.uk/sport for a Shrewsbury Town v Barnet match report on the final whistle.