Lee Vaughan is stretchered off during the game with Stafford Rangers on Boxing Day

Right-back Lee Vaughan has been ruled out of AFC Telford United’s promotion push for up to three weeks with ankle ligament damage.

The 22-year-old was carried off in the second half of the 3-1 win at Stafford Rangers on Boxing Day.

A trip to hospital on Saturday confirmed the initial diagnosis – but boss Rob Smith believes it could have been worse.

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“It’s nothing too serious, they’re talking about him being out for two to three weeks,” he said.

“He had a shocker at Stafford before he got injured, and he knows that, but he had been playing exceptionally before that so it’s obviously a blow, but he shouldn’t be out for too long.

“We’ve got Martyn Naylor waiting in the wings. He’s been injured but he’s fully fit now and he would be the natural choice to come in.”

Meanwhile, Smith is urging fans to keep their feet on the ground as he reflects on a “sensational” second half of 2008.

The Bucks have won their last eight Blue Square North games in a row, but Smith is warning that they cannot maintain such form forever.

“We had a ropey start to the season in terms of performances, but we’ve really clicked now,” said Smith, whose side have lost just once in all competitions – away at Southend in the FA Cup – in their last 23 outings.

“I’m sure some people expect us to play like Chelsea every week, but that is not possible.

“At Stafford we weren’t so fluent as we have been, though we still managed to win, and I’ve heard people saying I got the team and the tactics wrong but that’s rubbish.

“I didn’t get the team wrong, they just didn’t play well – if I got the chance again I’d still pick the same team.

“People have to be realistic and we will lose games and play poorly on occasions. The main thing is we are heading in the right direction.”

By CHRIS HUDSON