Telford's new on loan defender Shane Killock challenges with Ilkeston forward Gary Ricketts

AFC Telford United have agreed a deal to extend Oxford defender Shane Killock’s loan – and are also in talks to complete the permanent signing of Barrow’s Sean Newton.

Killock has proved a big hit since his temporary switch from the Kassam

Stadium and boss Rob Smith revealed he would be retaining the player for another month.

Newton arrived on loan from the Cumbrians in a deal that also saw Gareth Jelleyman moving in the opposite direction.

And Smith believes he will become a fully-fledged Telford player early next week.

“Shane’s a good player and a great lad as well,” the Bucks chief declared. “There’s a lot of interest in him so I’m delighted to have him.

“He wants to come for another month, which is great news for us.

“With regards to Sean, negotiations have taken place and I’m sure he will be a Telford player next week.

“He’s happy to stay and we’ve agreed everything with him, so it’s just a case of Barrow releasing the player.

“He’s settled in with us really well and he’s got a cracking future ahead of him.

“Even through our recent bad spell he’s one of the players who have continued to play well, and I still don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet.”

Meanwhile, striker Iysden Christie continues to make faster-than-expected progress after picking up a hamstring injury at Eastwood on Saturday.

He was initially ruled out for up to three weeks, but Smith now rates him as 50/50 for this weekend’s FA Cup clash with Pegasus Juniors.

Midfielder Jamie Vermiglio (groin) is also back in training, and Smith is looking to send him out in the next couple of weeks to improve his fitness bygetting games elsewhere.

By CHRIS HUDSON