An Achilles injury has ruled top scorer Andy Brown out of AFC Telford United’s Setanta Shield clash with Kettering at the New Bucks Head tonight.

Brown, who has scored 15 goals this season, has been struggling with the problem for the past month and is now expected to be sidelined for up to a fortnight.

That is a blow for boss Rob Smith as he prepares for tonight’s northern area semi-final tie (7.45pm) with a number of availability issues.

New signing Phil Trainer and winger Danny Edwards are both cup-tied while right-back Lee Vaughan has not recovered from an ankle injury.

But club captain Stuart Whitehead is expected to get his first outing since returning from a long-term injury, while Matty Lewis – back after a broken leg – will also be involved and defender Indy Khela should play some part.

“We’re looking at losing Browny for 10 days to two weeks and that’s a real setback for us,” said Smith.

“He’s got an Achilles injury which is also affecting his calf as well. He’s had it for a month now and it’s got progressively worse so he needs to be taken out of the frame for a bit.”

Victory tonight would set-up an area final against either Barrow, York or Southport. Barrow and York meet this evening.

The Bucks have already taken the scalps of Cambridge and Burton in earlier rounds and would love to add Kettering to that list.

The Poppies are expected to field a slightly weakened team, with one eye on their big FA Cup clash with Fulham on Saturday, but Smith insists it will still be tough.

“They are a quality side and Mark Cooper has done an amazing job there.

“We want to try and get promoted and go on and do as well as they have done.

“They have to play 10 out of the 16 who played on Saturday so they can’t be too weakened and I know Coops – he will use this game as a stick to beat his players with. He will want them to perform.”

By CHRIS HUDSON