MILES Storey revealed how he feels he reaped the benefits of a month on loan at Shrewsbury Town after returning to the Swindon Town starting line-up on Saturday.

The young striker was paired with Michael Smith up front against Preston North End and responded with an energetic display, constantly looking to run into the channels behind the visitors’ back four.

Speaking to the Advertiser after the game, Storey admitted that a spell away from the County Ground was what he needed to rediscover his sharpness.

He said: “I enjoyed it.

“It was something I needed, I think.

“I went there, started four games and some of the games I came off maybe 20 minutes before the end but it was solid gametime.

“Even now I’m feeling it in my calves.

“I still think I’m getting used to men’s football really.

“I think the time at Shrewsbury really did me some good.

“I’ve spoken to the gaffer a few times through the year and he knows I’ve got something, it’s just when we were pushing for the play-offs maybe at the time I didn’t really fit into what was happening.

“Now it’s about getting ready for next year.”

Storey praised the Town defence in the aftermath of his side’s 1-0 victory over Preston, who boasted substantial experience but failed to breach Swindon’s resilient rearguard.

“I enjoyed it.

“It was a difficult first half because I was trying to get in down the sides, which is my game, but they were reading it a bit more.

“In the second half, as the game got stretched, I got on the ball a lot more in behind, which is what the gaffer told me to do beforehand,” he said.

“They were 12 unbeaten and a big physical side.

“I think the credit’s got to go to the defence today. Kevin Davies comes on and he’s got Premier League qualities and they were strong throughout.

“The defence was spot on.

“I didn’t get to see too many of the games while I was away but I heard at Bristol the defence was solid as well.”