AFC Telford United’s leading scorer Steve Foster is struggling with a back injury that looks set to rule him out of tomorrow’s trip to Grantham Town.

Foster, pictured, has 15 goals to his name in all competitions this season, and his absence would be a huge blow to the Bucks as they look to bounce back from their first defeat of the season.

Telford lost 3-1 at home to Whitby last weekend to bring to an end an unbeaten UniBond League run stretching back 38 games.

Boss Rob Smith believes that defeat has actually eased the pressure on his players, but admits Foster’s absence would be a disappointment.

“Steve has a back injury and he looks very unlikely to play,” the Bucks chief confirmed. “He picked it up on Saturday and he was unable to train on Tuesday and was still sore last night so I’d say he’s very doubtful at this stage.

“He’s the only one, though. Everyone else is fit and the whole squad will travel with us.

“I have to say that morale has been brilliant this week and maybe that defeat was the best thing that could have happened to us in many respects.

“The spirit is better than ever and it seems to have taken a huge weight off our shoulders. There’s been no talk of unbeaten runs this week. It would have been nice to carry it on but now everyone is just focussed on winning the league and that’s how it should be.”

Telford drew 1-1 at home to Grantham on the opening day of the season, but it will be a very different side they face tomorrow.

Gary Marrow is the new man in charge, having made the switch from Frickley, and only a handful of players remain from the squad that started the campaign.

“They’re really scrapping for their lives and we’re expecting it to be a very difficult game in very difficult conditions,” added Smith.

“They have a running track there and it’s always freezing cold. It can also be blustery.”

By Chris Hudson