Fresh injury problems have blighted AFC Telford’s preparations for their FA Trophy clash with Hayes & Yeading tomorrow – with Lee Vaughan and Martyn Naylor both ruled out.

Vaughan had been declared fit on Tuesday, coming through training for the first time since suffering an ankle injury at Stafford on Boxing Day.

He broke down again last night though, while Naylor suffered a re-occurence of the thigh injury that has troubled him of late.

It is a double blow to boss Rob Smith, though the second round tie remains in the balance after the big freeze – with a pitch inspection likely later today or early in the morning.

“Both of them are ruled out, though they might have to go on the bench just to make up the numbers because I had a count and we’ve only got 12 fit players,” said Smith.”I’ve called up Scott Embury and Justin Worthington from the youth team and Dean Williams, the goalkeeper coach, has signed as cover for Ryan Young for tomorrow.”

One boost for Smith is the encouraging progress of striker Matty Lewis, who broke his leg in pre-season.

He has been on loan at Atherstone but only managed 60 minutes of football due to games being called off.

But his efforts in training have convinced the Telford chief he is ready to return.

“Matty will be on the bench,” he confirmed. “He looked sharp last night.

“We’re desperate to get through and this is a massive opportunity for us.

“We don’t know too much about them, but they won’t know a lot about us – I don’t know who’s playing right-back yet so they definitely won’t!”

Meanwhile, chairman Lee Carter admitted the state of the pitch was a concern, adding: “The covers have been on for 48 hours now, but it still won’t take a fork.

“There will definitely be an inspection at some point, and we can’t leave it too late because of the distance the opposition have to travel.”