AFC Telford United will have to cope without two of their more consistent performers when they finally return to Blue Square North action a week on Tuesday.

The Bucks were left without a game to mark the new year, with yesterday’s trip to Stafford Rangers postponed due to a frozen pitch.

And they do not play again until January 12, when Vauxhall Motors are the visitors to the New Bucks Head.

They will be without leading scorer Andy Brown and England C international Lee Vaughan for that one however, with both ruled out through suspension.

Striker Brown will be serving a one-game ban for accumulating five yellow cards this season, while right-back Vaughan begins a two-match ban after reaching 10 bookings for the campaign.

“They are two big players to be missing, but we’re getting to the time of year where this kind of thing happens,” said pragmatic boss Rob Smith. “I’ll have Danny Carey-Bertram back by then as well, as his loan at Worcester will be over.”

Smith admitted it had been a disappointment to see yesterday’s game called off following an 11am inspection, though the verdict was no surprise.

“It’s disappointing, but what can you do?” he said. “I understand the pitch was frozen solid so there was no chance of the game going ahead.”