Skipper Stuart Whitehead believes AFC Telford United’s next two league games could have a big bearing on their Blue Square North destiny this season.

The Bucks face leaders Droylsden on Saturday then travel to second-placed Southport two weeks later – with an FA Cup clash against Worcester sandwiched in between.

Whitehead believes a good return from those games could banish memories of their hit-and-miss start to the campaign, and get them in the thick of the promotion race once more.

“We’ve got some big games coming up and it’s important we get some good results,” he said.

“Hopefully we can go on a run now, and two good results from these games coming up would put us back up there where we want to be.

“We know what Droylsden are all about and I think it will be an entertaining game on Saturday.

“You see their goals for column and it’s astronomical – they’ve scored 33 goals in 11 games so they’re obviously a team that creates a lot of chances.

“We’ve got to work hard to close them down and I am sure we are capable of getting something out of the game.”

Whitehead will be hoping for a recall to the starting line-up at the weekend, having been rested for the 4-1 FA Cup win over Pegasus Juniors last Saturday.

Right-back Lee Vaughan also started on the bench for that one as boss Rob Smith rotated his squad, and Whitehead admits it was not a decision he took in entirely good grace.

“I wanted to play, definitely, and I don’t think Lee Vaughan was happy either,” he said. “But the gaffer has got a big squad and he does what is best for the team.

“With the little injuries I’ve had, he probably thought it was best I missed one, but I hope I can get back in quickly.

“We all know that there is competition for places at the back and no-one can rest on their laurels.”

By Chris Hudson