Whitehead to miss first four Bucks' games

Club captain Stuart Whitehead will miss the first four games of AFC Telford United's season - as he begins training to be come a retained firefighter.

The 34-year-old will miss the Blue Square Bet North opener against Hyde on Saturday, as well as the trips to Vauxhall Motors and Gainsborough Trinity and the home clash with Gloucester City.

Whitehead will instead be on an intensive course that will make him unavailable for two weeks - though he insists he remains committed to the club.

"I'm looking at pursuing a new career, I'm looking at the long term as I have to think about what happens when my playing career ends," said Whitehead.

"Once this course is out of the way I'll be available for selection and ready to play, it's just these first two weeks that are a problem.

"I'm gutted and I've tried to speak to the bosses and get out of the Saturday sessions, but I don't think it's going to be possible.

"It's specialist training and the course is only run every six months. It's not like I can just catch up because it's so intensive."

Meanwhile, Sinton is planning to add to his squad ahead of the Hyde game in order to cover for a number of injury problems.

"I've got a couple of irons in the fire," he revealed.

"I'm looking to cover the full-back areas because both right-backs (Ashley Woolliscroft and Martyn Naylor) are still coming back from injuries and our left-back Sean Newton has a bit of a sore knee after hitting the advertising boards in the Wolves game on Tuesday.

"I've got someone in mind who can cover both positions who we're looking to get on non-contract terms and we're also looking at a centre-back as we need cover with Stuart out."

• Winger Sean Evans yesterday underwent surgery after breaking his tibia and fibula in his left leg during the 4-2 defeat to Wolves.

By CHRIS HUDSON