AFC Telford United boss Rob Smith is warning his side to prepare for battle as they look to maintain their Blue Square North promotion charge at Alfreton tomorrow.

The Bucks chief believes the trip to Derbyshire will prove a mentally and physically demanding test for his in-form side.

And his plans have suffered a late blow with midfielder Carl Rodgers suffering a pulled calf muscle during last night’s training session.

“I’m expecting a real physical, tough game,” said Smith. “Nicky Law’s teams give every ounce of blood they’ve got for him and he will be doing anything he can to turn us over.

“We haven’t always gone away and produced the goods we expect, and the challenge for us is to go out there and get it right.

“We went to Solihull and we weren’t up for it and we got turned over. This is another tough place to go like that, and we must be ready this time.

“I don’t think it will be a game for the football purist – it will be an out-and-out battle on not the best pitch. We’ve got to match them.”

Rodgers, who was dropped to the bench for last Saturday’s 2-1 win over Hyde, has been ruled out of tomorrow’s clash.

But Luke Reynolds (hamstring) came through training last night and will return to the squad, while recent recruit Michael Husbands has been declared fully fit.

“Carl pulled his calf right towards the end of training and it’s annoying, but he pulled out at the right time and we don’t think he’ll be out for too long,” the Telford manager added.

“We’ve got Luke Reynolds coming back into the squad and we’ve got Dave Roberts or Steve Jagielka who can play in the middle if needed.

“Michael is looking good and I’d imagine that at some point we will see him tomorrow.”

Right wing-back Lee Vaughan will again be missing as he completes a two-game ban for accumulating 10 bookings this season.

By Chris Hudson