Boss Rob Smith today paved the way for new faces at AFC Telford United by releasing three players ahead of a major push to strengthen his squad in time for next season.

Strikers Matty Lewis and Mark Danks and defender Indy Khela have all left the club.

Khela’s departure marks the end of an era for Smith who clinched the 25-year-old defender as his first signing for The Bucks from former club Willenhall in February 2006.

“It’s with a heavy heart that Indy has gone because I first signed him five and a half years ago so it’s a sad day,” said Smith.

“It’s a mutual decision because Indy wanted to get regular first team football at this stage of his career.

“It’s no secret how highly I rated him but he’s been a little unfortunate with injury.”

Former Wolves trainee Danks, 25, who joined in February from Halesowen and has scored three goals, has moved on after being brought in mid-season to strengthen Smith’s attacking options.

Smith said: “It’s not quite worked out by his own admission and he’s not quite hit the heights he knows he can but his attitude has been superb.”

Hitman Lewis, who had fundraising fans to thank for supporting him financially during a long injury lay-off, has also been shown the door at The New Bucks Head after his season was blighted by a broken leg picked up in pre-season.

“He’s done superb but had a horrendous injury which wrote off his season,” said Smith. “But he wants to move on and get regular football.”

Smith also revealed the club will be a hive of off-pitch activity in the coming days as he begins thrashing out remaining players’ futures with a view to mounting a promotion challenge next season.