AFC Telford United’s in-form midfielder Jamie Vermiglio has been struck down by injury – as manager Rob Smith guards against an FA Cup backlash against Gateshead tomorrow.

The tenacious 26-year-old tweaked his groin in training this week and has been ruled out for up to three weeks.

It is a heart-wrenching blow for Vermiglio, who will now miss next week’s FA Cup replay at Southend.

“He’s obviously devastated about Southend, but he wanted to play tomorrow as well,” said Smith. “He’s been playing well and it’s disappointing.”

Telford had arranged for teacher Vermiglio to have Tuesday afternoon off at Thelwall Junior School so that he could play in the replay against the Shrimpers next week, but their efforts are now in vain.

But all thoughts of Southend need to be quickly banished as Telford prepare for the visit of the free-scoring Tynesiders.

Ian Bogie’s side have smashed nine goals in two games games – against Burscough and Hyde United – to climb to the fringes of the Blue Square North play-off places.

“Droylsden and Blyth Spartans both lost their league games after the FA Cup,” warned a wary Smith.

“I’m sure their managers were saying beforehand that there was no chance of them being distracted, so we’ll see. 

“Gateshead are a top drawer side at the moment. 

“They are quite strong going forward and it’s a real tricky game for us and we’ll have to be at our best to get a result.”

Speaking of striker Lee Novak, who has hit six goals in three games for the visitors, Smith continued: “He is a different grade, he really is. We have the players capable of doing a job against him, but we just have to keep concentrating.

“A result tomorrow would make it 15 unbeaten and that would be fantastic.

“It’s difficult not to have a blip, but we can’t afford one – we have got to stay with that leading pack.”

Carl Rodgers is the likely candidate to replace Vermiglio and Smith may also be tempted to re-call striker Danny Carey-Bertram, who missed last weekend’s match as he was Cup-tied.

By SEAN WOZENCROFT