AFC Telford get set to take on Bath City

AFC Telford United boss Andy Sinton turned to Bath City counterpart Adie Britton when looking for advice on how a part-time team can thrive in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

Sinton was quick to pick up the phone after steering the Bucks to promotion – Britton having led his side to an impressive 10th place finish on their debut in the division last season.

But when they meet at the New Bucks Head tomorrow, it will be with Telford in the ascendency – Bath still seeking their first win of the new campaign after two draws and six defeats in their first eight games.

"In pre-season he rang me and we had a long talk about things," said Britton.

"It was interesting, because he asked me about lots of issues and how we dealt with being in this league on a part-time basis.

"When I see him on tomorrow, I'll be saying: 'That's how to do it in your first season and now we are showing you how not to do it in your second season!

"In lots of ways we've got a better squad than last season, but that doesn't always manifest itself in results," he added.

"But if we react positively, we can turn it around. Last season after 11 games we had eight points and we were one off the bottom and we finished 10th."

Meanwhile, Britton revealed that experienced midfielder Alex Russell was on the road to recovery after a dramatic health scare on the way to Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at York.

The 38-year-old – whose former clubs include Rochdale, Bristol City and Yeovil – lost consciousness on the team coach and had to be taken away by ambulance.

"He was let out of hospital on Wednesday night and his parents took him back to Merseyside, where he comes from," said Britton.

"Apparently he had a blood infection. It was a very frightening experience because I've never seen anyone look that ill.

"All his blood seemed to drain out of him, he turned yellow and he lost consciousness.

"I don't know how someone can be that ill and recover so quickly –but I don't know whether it will be a couple of days or a couple of weeks until he's right to play again."

By CHRIS HUDSON