Key defender Stuart Whitehead today handed play-off chasing AFC Telford United a timely boost by insisting he is on schedule to return to action next week.

The 31-year-old has been sidelined since suffering ankle ligament damage in the 1-1 draw at Gainsborough last month – an injury that originally seemed set to sideline him for the rest of the season.

But intensive treatment at former club Kidderminster and at the National Sports Centre at Lilleshall has worked wonders, and he could now be pulling on a Telford shirt again in next Saturday’s clash at Stalybridge.

“I’ve stepped up my training and the game next Saturday is definitely my aim now,” said Whitehead, who was watching from the stands for this afternoon’s crunch clash at home to Harrogate.

“I’ve been having treatment at Kidderminster in the day and I’ve had a week at Lilleshall too, which was very good for me because the rehab there is very good.

“I’m still a bit weak but I’m able to do some running on it and I’m hoping I’ll be able to play next week.

“In a perfect scenario it would be a couple of weeks yet, but I’ll strap it up and, if needed, then I’m sure I’ll be able to play.

“I still don’t know how it will be in a game situation but I won’t know until I try.”

Whitehead is optimistic that he will be returning to a side that is play-off bound and, speaking ahead of this afternoon’s clash – where a crowd of up to 3,500 was expected – insisted they were close.

“We probably only need three or four points and we’ve got three games to get those in,” he added.

By Chris Hudson