Andy Sinton wants AFC Telford stars to gain match fitness
AFC Telford boss Andy Sinton believes tonight's home friendly against Welsh side Airbus will help bring several of his players closer to sustained first team action.
With no midweek league game, the Bucks chief has arranged a friendly game against the Welsh Premier side at the New Bucks Head this evening (7.45pm).
Sinton has said the club's injury crisis is now easing, with a handful of players working their way back to full match fitness following injury lay-offs.
But, after missing several weeks of action, many of them need matches to sharpen up. Ryan Valentine (back), Chris Sharp (hernia) and Jake Reid (hamstring), who have all spent significant time on the sidelines this season, are all set to play some part while Sinton will also run the rule over a number of trialists.
"There's light at the end of the tunnel with injuries but just because they are fit doesn't mean they are going to be able to come into Conference football and perform as we know they can because it's a tough level," he said.
"Valo was able to declare himself 100 per cent fit for Grimsby. Jake Reid's training but will need some intensive training or games.
"We have got Chris Sharp back. I want him to get 90 minutes under his belt.
"He was out 10 weeks and we will see where we are with the rest. We have come through a crisis and we are heading in the right direction."
He added that Michael Briscoe (back), Jay Smith (abductor), and Chris Blackburn (back) remain sidelined with injuries.
Phil Trainer will also miss this weekend's FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie at home to Nuneaton after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.
