AFC Telford United boss Andy Sinton has challenged a midfield stand-in to seize his chance – after losing loan star Jay Smith for the Bucks’ festive double-header with Wrexham.

Smith, who has made a big impact since joining from the Lambs, picked up his 10th booking of the season in last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Braintree.

And that triggers an automatic suspension that sees the midfield general ruled out of the Boxing Day clash at home to the Dragons and the return fixture on New Year’s Day.

“It’s a blow but it gives an opportunity for someone else to step in,” said Sinton.

“It’s a real chance for someone to lay down a marker in these two games and say ‘I’m your man’ going into the second half of the season.

“We haven’t really had enough people stepping up to the plate so far in these situations but there is the chance here.

“Hopefully I pick the right one and they do themselves and their team-mates justice. I’m sure they will.”

Meanwhile, Sinton is optimistic that veteran forward Steve Jones, 35, will be fit to come into the frame against Wrexham.

Former Crewe and Burnley forward Jones has made a big impact since joining last month but picked up a hamstring injury during the 0-0 draw with York.

He missed the Braintree game but was back in the fold yesterday as Telford staged training sessions in the afternoon and evening.

“Steve has worked with the physios all week and he assures me he’s feeling fine so he’ll hopefully be in contention,” said Sinton.

“We could have risked him at Braintree but we decided between all parties (player, manager and phsios) that it might be too soon.

“In the short time he’s been here, he’s shown people glimpses of what he can do.

“He’s a player who can make something happen out of nothing and that is what we’re going to need over the second half of the season.”