The Big Freeze could not have been any better timed for AFC Telford United defender Stuart Whitehead.

The 34-year-old has been a consistent performer in recent weeks, playing the last seven games after coming in for the unfortunate Liam Murray.

But a sickness bug looked set to end that run, with the former Shrewsbury, Darlington and Kidderminster centre-back having been ruled out for last Saturday’s trip to Blyth Spartans.

But the postponement gave Whitehead time to recover – and he has returned to training this week ahead of the FA Trophy clash at Harrogate on Saturday.

“Stu had last week off ill with the flu,” boss Andy Sinton confirmed.

“He wouldn’t have played at Blyth but in the end we didn’t play either.

“The weather has worked in his favour in that sense and he was back in training last night.”

Another man back in training is striker Alex Meechan, who had spent weeks sidelined by a painful trapped nerve in his back.

“Alex trained last week and looked fine,” said the Bucks boss. “The most important thing was that there was no reaction and we will start stepping his fitness work up now.”

Striker Adam Proudlock (ribs) has also had extra time to recover as a result of last weekend’s postponement.

And it means Sinton is hoping to have a near full-strength squad at his disposal for the Trophy first round clash.

• The Wolves reserve clash with West Ham at the New Bucks Head, postponed last night, will now take place on Monday, December 20.