AFC Telford United midfielder Phil Trainer believes being dropped could have turned his season around, admitting: “I needed to do more.”

The Wolverhampton-born 30-year-old did not even make the squad for four games after the 4-0 FA Cup debacle at Chelmsford.

But he has returned with starring performances against York in the Blue Square Bet Premier and Nuneaton in the FA Trophy – and he puts the credit down to manager Andy Sinton.

“I’ve not been used to being out of the team for longer than a week or two,” said Trainer. “It definitely made me hungrier for when I came back.

“The gaffer told me that I needed to do more than I was before and I’ve tried to do that.

“I like being told where I’m going wrong and what I need to do to put it right.

“There’s still more to come as well.

“I seemed to be playing in a more defensive role this season but with Jay Smith in there now, it’s helped me to get forward a bit more and I know the goals will come if I keep playing.”

Meanwhile, a Telford side will play League Two outfit Hereford United in a friendly at Ludlow Town’s SBS Stadium this evening.

Manager Andy Sinton will use the game to give a run-out to a couple of trialists, while right-sided defender-cum-winger Dwayne Samuels will also begin his comeback from a broken toe.

“Dwayne will come in for half a game just to see how he is,” Sinton confirmed.

“Games like this are a useful run-out and we have a players who need games.”

Midfielders Carl Rodgers and Courtney Pitt are also back in training having been sidelined by problems with back spasms.

See more:

• Killock backs AFC Telford to beat Cambridge
• Andy Sinton sets AFC Telford sights on FA Trophy glory