Midfielder Jamie Vermiglio has targeted a return to AFC Telford United’s starting line-up – at the expense of player of the year Carl Rodgers.

School teacher Vermiglio has been ruled out of the Bank Holiday weekend fixtures at home to Ilkeston and away to Gloucester due to a groin injury.

But he hopes to be fully fit to stake his claim by the time the tough-tackling Rodgers – known to his team-mates as Bruno – starts a three-match suspension on September 1.

The 27-year-old believes he is in the right shape to prove his worth in place of a man whose consistency saw him chosen by the fans as their star man last season.

“I’d been feeling good and thought there might be an opportunity for me to start soon, with Bruno having a suspension coming up,” he said.

“Hopefully I’ll be back by the time that starts and I might get a chance, because I’ve only had the five minutes at Stalybridge so far.

“It’s been frustrating but I’m not sulking about it because the lads have been doing well.

“It looks like it’s me or Bruno taking that role of holding the midfield together – and Bruno has been playing out of his skin.

“I’m out at the minute, but things can change. Bruno wasn’t in the starting XI at the start of last season and then injuries and suspensions took their toll.

“He managed to cement his place and ended up winning player of the year, so that just shows anything can happen.”

Vermiglio earned a slice of national notoriety last season when it was revealed he had been playing with a broken back.

An epidural to ease the pain and aid the healing process has proved effective and he insists the situation is no longer of any concern to his playing career.

“I had a phone call the other day from the doctor who did the injection and he said he was made up with the progress I’ve been making,” Vermiglio added.