Boss Rob Smith has backed his watertight AFC Telford United defence to cope with the loss of two key figures for tomorrow’s Blue Square North trip to Workington.

Centre-back Gavin Cowan and right-back Lee Vaughan are both forced to sit out the long trip to Borough Park, having incurred one-match bans for accumulating five yellow cards.

They have been central figures in an impressive defence that has conceded fewer goals than all but Southport this season.

But Smith is confident they have enough strength within the ranks to make light of the absentees.

“It’s a blow, but it’s a chance for Jimmy Turner and Indy Khela, and you couldn’t ask for two better deputies,” said Smith.

“We’ve only lost two out of 18 games that Indy has started and that record speaks for itself. Jimmy Turner was club skipper last season and he’s champing at the bit to play.”

Telford and Workington played out a goalless draw when the sides met at the New Bucks Head in October.

The Cumbrians have since gone on a decent run that has lifted them away from the immediate dangers of the relegation zone, and Smith is certainly not taking them lightly.

“They’re one of the form teams at the moment,” he added. “I’ve had some really good reports about them and they’re a very dangerous and capable side.”

Apart from Cowan and Vaughan, the Bucks will also be without Lee Moore, whose ankle has not responded well to treatment since taking a knock at Tamworth.

Defender-cum-midfielder Martyn Naylor has been ruled out for the rest of the season after fracturing his cheekbone in three places in the Trophy tie at Kettering.