Kettering boss Mark Cooper has warned his side to be wary of AFC Telford United’s ambition in tomorrow’s eagerly-anticipated FA Trophy clash.

The Poppies chief expects Telford to push his side all the way in the high noon showdown at the A-Line Arena – in order to prove they are good enough to step up a league.

A place in the quarter-finals is at stake, but Cooper insists the healthy rivalry that started when Kettering beat the Bucks to the Blue Square North title last season has added spice to the tie.

“There is a mutual rivalry between the clubs,” said Cooper.

“They could see themselves where we are with all the facilities they have – and the two guys in charge, Rob Smith and Larry Chambers, are both very ambitious. 

“When you play a team in a higher league, like we did with Lincoln and Notts County (in the FA Cup), you want to knock them out and they will want to show us they are capable of playing in the Conference.”

If there was not enough at stake, with a place at Wembley just three wins away, the Setanta Shield meeting between the two sides last week has added to the drama.

The Bucks won 3-2 after extra-time, but the match ended in acrimony as Cooper was sent off for his dramatic outburst which followed the dismissal of his skipper Guy Branston. Since then the Poppies shone before losing 4-2 at home to Premiership Fulham in the FA Cup.

Telford have been hit by an injury crisis ahead of the clash with strikers Terry Fearns (groin) and Andy Brown (Achilles) both ruled out.

Danny Edwards and Phil Trainer are both cup-tied, but Jon Adams and Liam Blakeman should be okay to start after training last night.

And there could also be a return to the bench for long-term absentee Simon Forsdick, who has recovered from the knee injury that has kept him out since September.

Manager Rob Smith said: “Without our full compliment of players we are massive underdogs, but we’ll just give it a go and see what happens.

“We’ve done well to get this far but now the cup games are taking their toll – and I for one won’t be too heart broken when they are behind us and we can concentrate on the league.”

By CHRIS HUDSON