Boss Andy Sinton has set his sights on establishing an AFC Telford United reserve side as he seeks to make the club more professional.

The Telford chief currently sets up squad friendlies against local non-League sides or professional youth teams as and when needed to give his fringe players games.

But he admits the situation is not ideal, especially given the relatively large size of his current playing roster.

“It’s an area where we would like to improve going forward and maybe we need to look at the possibility of having a reserve side,” said Sinton, who took his first team to Bath this afternoon.

“Squad games are all very well but you’re relying on other teams being available then.

“It’s alright when you have got a squad of 18 or 19 but when you’ve got 22 or 23 or more then you have always got people who need games.

“We work hard in training but there’s no substitute for games and we’ll certainly look at it.”

Sinton admits he would like to get some of the players not currently in the matchday squad out on loan in the months ahead.

But that has become a lower priority with the likes of Elliott Chamberlain (breathing), Adam Proudlock (ankle), Dwayne Samuels (toe), Spencer Weir-Daley (hamstring) and Carl Rodgers (neck) all currently struggling with injuries.

“Nobody has shown any interest and we are not actively pushing that at the minute,” said Sinton.

“With a few injuries in the squad we don’t want to be letting players out when we might need them.”