New addition Michael Briscoe is targeting the pre-season clash at home to Chesterfield for his AFC Telford debut after an operation on his broken nose.

The 29-year old defender is one of three summer signings made by Bucks boss Andy Sinton so far and he had been expected to make his first appearance for the club last Saturday.

But an accidental blow in training delayed hopes of the former Kidderminster Harriers defender featuring in the Blue Square Bet Premier side’s 1-0 Shropshire Senior Cup semi-final victory over Market Drayton.

But assistant boss Mike Davies said Briscoe should be back in contention for selection in about nine days. “He has had his operation,” said Davies.

“He should be fine but if he gets a knock on it it becomes a bit of a risk.

“He will be able to train (while it is healing) but the physio has said he could be out for up to (nine) days.”

That time frame would rule him out of Saturday’s trip to The New Saints in the Shropshire Senior Cup play-off final as well as the home friendly against Walsall next Tuesday.

But it would see him back in contention to make his debut at home to the Spirites on July 28 and Davies said the match was a realistic target for the player’s return.

Briscoe suffered the injury during a training game in a collision as he went up for a corner.

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