Read thinks Bucks could still spring surprises

Assistant manager Darren Read believes AFC Telford United could spring "one or two surprises" before the squad is ready for the start of the new season.

Read saw the Bucks go down 2-1 in their latest pre-season friendly at home to Hereford United last night.

Trialists Martyn Naylor, Will Richards, Richard Davies and Tyree Clarke - all currently considering deals from the club - featured in that game.

But Read, who was in charge with manager Andy Sinton abroad, does not expect that to be the end of their recruitment process.

The Bucks are eager to add a right winger to the squad and are hoping to look at a number of options in training and in matches over the next week.

"We're very close to doing a couple of deals and there are other players that we are looking at as well," said Read. "There might be one or two surprises along the way, but we're happy with the players we've got and the squad is coming along nicely."

Meanwhile, Read paid tribute to two of the players the new management team inherited - singling midfielders Carl Rodgers and Phil Trainer out for praise after their performances last night.

"Phil worked hard and was magnificent," he said. "Carl Rodgers put in a man of the match performance - it was absolutely top drawer.

"He's listened to everything we've told him in training, he's worked at it and his fitness levels are better than they've ever been."

By CHRIS HUDSON