AFC Telford happy not to call on new-boys
AFC Telford United manager Liam Watson today claimed he won't need to blood his three new signings through first-team action "in an ideal world."
The Bucks have brought in Southport defender James Smith on loan until the end of the season and signed goalkeeper Zac Hibbert and striker Chris Simm.
The latter two will stay with their club, Evo-Stik Northern Premier League side Skelmersdale United, after penning dual registration non-contract forms.
Smith will remain with the Sandgrounders, too, and wait for the call from Watson if there's a shortage in Telford's charge for Skrill Conference North glory.
The Telford boss has every confidence in his current table-topping squad but has bought piece of mind, with all bases covered until the end of the season.
He added: "I have got every faith in the players and I have said that all season, but it's important that we have a bit of cover if we pick up injuries.
"I know I can trust the three lads and they tick all of the boxes, as I know what they are capable of. But, in an ideal world, I won't need them."
The trio worked with Watson at Southport and Smith has already been told he has no future at Haig Avenue, where he's out-of-contract this summer.
Simm is likely to look for a club at a higher level at the end of the season, after spells playing in the Welsh Premier League for Bangor City and Airbus.
Watson said: "James is in the same situation as the others, he's not coming in to play games unless we need him. It's more cover, so he will stay at Southport.
"His best position is probably in the middle of a defensive three, but he's played a lot of games at right-back. He's good on the ball and can get forward.
"Chris is a proven Conference North goalscorer who is still in his 20s, he actually spent a bit of pre-season with us but he was on too much money then.
"Financially, it wasn't viable for us to be in the market for him, but things have changed. He's a good player and, if I had to throw him into our team, I would.
"If either of our goalkeepers got injured, I wouldn't have one on the bench and you don't go into the last eight games of the season without covering all bases.
"Zac has been good enough to be a No 1 this season, he's had a decent spell where he is and he's a confident goalkeeper in his own right."
