Postponement gives us time, says AFC Telford manager Steve Kittrick

But the former Guiseley chief, who has now been at the Telford helm for a week, admitted that the enforced break could be a blessing in disguise.

The Bucks, whose match with Gateshead yesterday was postponed because of a frozen pitch, are currently nursing several injuries.

And Kittrick, whose side drew 4-4 at Nuneaton on Boxing Day, said: "I had been looking forward to the match, meeting everybody and getting on with things because after the fightback on Boxing Day it would have been a good one to bounce back into against a different team that plays a different style of football.

"You want to get momentum and keep playing. I thought the lads did well on Boxing Day, but I also understand that we have got injuries and we need time out to rebuild and get sorted.

"That is the only plus to the postponement. It is going to enable me to have another two or three players back for selection ahead of the return game against Nuneaton on New Year's Day."

Midfielder Godfrey Poku is one who will benefit, having been sidelined by a knee injury picked up against Eastleigh this month.

And Kittrick added: "It will give Tony Gray a couple more days because he wouldn't have been available yesterday.

"He was injured. That is why he came off on Boxing Day because he had a bad knock on his foot.

"He should be right for Nuneaton and Godfrey should be good as well, so that is two more back into the side."

Midfielder Josh Hancock will also be in contention after missing the last few games with a sickness bug.

He had been expected to return to the squad for the Gateshead match and Kittrick said:"It is a massive plus to have three players back – hopefully – for New Year's Day."

However, defender Rod McDonald is not expected to have recovered from a knee injury in time while Steve Akrigg (knee) and Sean Clancy (collarbone) are both sidelined for significantly longer spells.