AFC Telford United boss Andy Sinton has been frustrated in his bid to plug a midfield vacuum ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Grimsby.

Sinton had been hoping to bring a loan player in to provide cover, with Phil Trainer and Richard Davies both suspended for the clash at Blundell Park.

But his top target, a mystery Football League player, has himself been sent off in his latest game to earn a ban of his own and send Sinton back to the drawing board.

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He said: “I thought we were close to getting something done but it’s not going to happen.

“I have still got a couple of irons in the fire and we have also got Carl Rodgers and Nathan Rooney, who could go in there.”

Even without the suspensions, Telford would have been in for a tough time against Grimsby – whose 41 home league goals this season is a total bettered only by Barcelona across the whole of Europe.

Top scorer Liam Hearn –who Telford know well from his Alfreton days – has already hit 23 goals so far this season.

Sinton said: “No-one’s unbeatable, no-one is impregnable, but they are going well and we know the size of the task. They are a professional outfit and we have to rise to the challenge.

“They are going like a train and they could be difficult to stop.”

Sinton also faces an anxious wait to see if he can keep his squad together before the transfer window closes on Tuesday after revealing that he has had interest in a senior player.

He said: “If it were to happen we would need to get cover.

“I don’t want to say who but we are talking about a regular.”

See also:

• Ben Futcher has belief in AFC Telford squad
• Andy Sinton to act after Phil Trainer is sent off again