Khela in another injury setback

Unlucky defender Indy Khela faces a battle to play any further part in AFC Telford United's season after dislocating his shoulder for the third time in his career.

The centre-back was absent for last night's 4-2 victory over Hinckley United at the New Bucks Head, having sustained the injury in the Blue Square North opener at Stalybridge on Saturday.

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Boss Rob Smith and assistant Larry Chambers kept the setback under wraps until after last night's game because they did not want to alert their opposition to their defensive deficiencies.

Khela previously sustained the same injury while at Evesham and again in his first full season at Telford. It has now happened once more, even though he has since had both shoulders pinned.

"It's happened twice before so he's got a history of this happening," said Chambers, who himself ruptured his Achilles tendon in his left leg playing in a charity match in aid of former Telford player Lee Williams last Sunday.

"He's going to see the consultant today, but it's not looking good for him.

"He's disappointed and he really is down, but we're not going to respond until we know how bad it is."

Chambers was delighted to get the home campaign off to a winning start last night - Andy Brown scoring one and Terry Fearns bagging a hat-trick.

The Bucks No 2 was pleased with the attacking side of the display, but admitted he was disappointed to see the defence ship two goals for the second game running.

"I think Brown is going to be a little diamond," he said. "We signed Fearns to score goals and I think you saw last night that when we need someone to get you out of jail he can do it.

"Going forward we look very lively and I really do think that we've got goals in us all season - but last season we had one of the best defensive records and I'd still like that to be the case."

By Chris Hudson