AFC Telford's Mark Preece seeks silverware

On-loan defender Mark Preece is targeting a two-club assault on silverware - by helping AFC Telford United to promotion and Mansfield Town to FA Trophy glory.

Preece has joined the Bucks on a one-month loan, with parent club Mansfield - who are through to the Trophy semi-finals after beating Chasetown on Tuesday - sending him out to aid his recovery from a serious knee injury.

The 23-year-old played his first senior match in nearly six months when helping Telford to a 3-0 win at Guiseley on Saturday before getting another 90 minutes under his belt in Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Gainsborough Trinity.

"I'm enjoying my time with Telford because it's a great club," said Preece. "I'd like to stay a bit longer but that is out of my hands.

"Mansfield will decide my fate and I don't know what they're thinking but I'll speak to them in the next week.

"I know I have a lot more to offer. I'm not as sharp as I'd like to be after being out for so long and I have high standards.

"It's not often as a player that you get the luxury of the situation I'm in now.

"I've been in a few relegation battles and it's nice to be pressing towards success. I'd love to help Telford get promoted and if I could then play at Wembley for Mansfield that would be great.

"They've got the semi-final first leg with Luton on Sunday and I'll make the trip to support them."

Preece admits he feared he would never play again when he was diagnosed with a chondral defect - a cartilage problem on the knee joint.

"I had an operation called microfracture five months ago and the doctor says I've recovered very well," he added.

"I did worry at first that I might have to stop playing but the younger you are the better the recovery is and I should be fine."

By CHRIS HUDSON