AFC Telford United’s longest-serving player Jimmy Turner has been released – and striker Matt Nolan could exit close behind.

Turner, who joined the club in February 2006, was told he was superfluous to requirements in a short pre-training meeting with manager Rob Smith and assistant Larry Chambers last night.

The centre-back will get the chance to say his farewells to the Telford fans at tomorrow’s Blue Square North clash at home to Harrogate, but will not be in the matchday squad.

“We had a chat with him and agreed that he needs to go and get games elsewhere and maybe this is a turning point in his career,” said Smith. “He’s 25 and he needs to be playing first team football.

“He came here for our second game in charge against Farsley Celtic and has gone through brick walls for us ever since, so this was the hardest decision we have had to make at Telford.

“He’s a crowd favourite so I’m sure I won’t be too popular for letting him go, but I have to do what is right for the club.

“Jimmy was shell-shocked and I don’t think he saw it coming,” he added. “It was a horrible thing to have to do, but I hope the fans can see it’s a footballing decision.”

The duo also met with Nolan to discuss the approach they have received from Ryman League side Lowestoft Town for the former Corby hitman.

And, after Nolan confirmed he did want the chance to speak to the Suffolk club, he was given a deadline of this evening to decide if he wants to leave.

“Matty’s intention is that he wants to speak to them and if it’s in his mind that he wants to go then we won’t involve him tomorrow,” added Smith.

“I expected Matt to say he wasn’t interested because it is a lower level, but a few of his old Corby mates are down there and the guarantee of first team football might be the lure.

Smith hopes right-back Lee Vaughan, striker Andy Brown and midfielders Jon Adams and Jamie Vermiglio will all overcome injuries to play against Harrogate.