It’s a new season, but the same old problem for AFC Telford United boss Rob Smith – who has EIGHT players missing for Saturday’s opening friendly at Stratford.Smith had to cope with a crippling casualty list for much of last season, and his plans for the club’s first warm-up game have been severely disrupted by a combination of injury and unavailability.

Striker Andy Brown, one of five summer signings, has a prior commitment that rules him out, while Indy Khela and Emeka Nwadike are also not available.

Close season operations for Jimmy Turner and Asa Charlton have been well documented – and Smith today revealed that Simon Forsdick, Gary Fitzpatrick and Lee Vaughan have also been ruled out.

“We’ve got five injured, and – with Macca (Nwadike), Indy and Browny all unavailable – we’re very, very short,” he declared.

“Simon Forsdick’s still struggling with his knee ligaments and he’s not ready to play football yet, but we hope he will be by the start of the season.

“Vaughany has a knee ligaments problem too, and he won’t be kicking a ball for a couple of weeks.

“Gary Fitzpatrick’s still struggling with his foot and then we’ve got Jimmy Turner and Asa Charlton on the sidelines too, so it’s not looking good. To have five players missing for our first game is quite incredible but we’ll get on with it.”

Smith and assistant Larry Chambers have drafted in a three youngsters from the club’s youth programme.

Midfielder Scott Embury and centre-back Andrew Hartlebury get their chance to shine after impressing in the reserves last season.

And full-back Simon Gregory, who also plays cricket for Shropshire under-21s and Whitchurch, is another to be included in the squad, having been recommended by coach Iain Sankey.

Former Kidderminster defender-cum-midfielder Gavin Hurren will also be involved.

By Chris Hudson