Boss Rob Smith has beaten off competition from a string of Blue Square Premier outfits to bring goalscoring midfielder Phil Trainer to AFC Telford United.

The Wolverhampton-born player has joined on loan for the rest of the season from Oxford United and goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’ clash with Hyde at the New Bucks Head.

That will be a blast from the past for the 27-year-old, who spent a spell on loan at Hyde in his early days when he was with Crewe.

Trainer bagged 11 goals for Oxford in non-League’s top flight last season but, despite four more so far this season, has been deemed surplus to requirements.

“I’ve been tracking him for two years,” revealed Smith, who noted Trainer several years ago when he signed him on loan while in charge at Willenhall.

“We tried to sign him at the start of last season and we were very close, but at the last minute Burton and Oxford came in for him. We were gutted at the time.

“We’ve been waiting for one e-mail ever since then, and that was to say that he was available on loan. We got it two weeks ago and we made moves.

“Stevenage and Altrincham and Woking were in for him, amongst others, but the location of the club – and, hopefully, myself and Larry (Chambers) – has persuaded him to come.

“We’re absolutely delighted. He’s got loads of energy, a great physique and he scores goals.”

The Bucks will start as favourites against struggling Hyde, though Smith is warning they can not afford a repeat of the horror show at home to Stafford Rangers on New Year’s Day.

“Hyde are a typical Conference North side,” he added. “They’ve had their trials and tribulations but look at what happened to us against Stafford. If we’re at it, we’ll win the game.”

Skipper Stuart Whitehead is available after injury while striker Matty Lewis returns on the bench.

By CHRIS HUDSON