Will Salmon dreaming of AFC Telford cup run

Victory at the New Bucks Head would move Andy Sinton's side within two wins of the third round and a possible date with a Premiership or Championship giant – and Salmon admits that to make it to that stage would be a dream come true.

But he accepts The Bucks will face a difficult obsticle against familiar Blue Square Bet Premier League opposition.

But the right-back also warned that Telford's FA Cup journey could be over at the first hurdle this season if they do not learn the lesson from last weekend's home defeat against Grimsby Town.

Last Saturday, Andy Sinton's side matched the promotion-chasing Mariners throughout the game but went down 2-1, with both goals coming from free-kicks.

Salmon said: "It could have gone either way but we are disappointed to lose the game under the circumstances. We need to recify that and move on with a win against Nuneaton."

"The FA Cup is the biggest Cup competition in the world. It gives us a chance to pit our wits against better players and getting into the third round to play against the big boys is just your boyhood dream.

"But it will be a difficult game. They are no mugs and we will need to be switched on and certainly defend better than we did last Saturday."

Salmon added that a big performance in the Cup was also an opportunity for players to make a name for themselves and to progress their careers.

"You never know who is watching in those games," he said. "Our dream is to play as high as we can. It's a shop window basically so hopefully we can get a decent win."

Boss Sinton is also likely to have the luxury of being able to fill an 18-man team sheet for the Cup tie, with several players now coming back into the frame following injuries and suspensions.

Midfielder Phil Trainer will miss the game after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season last week.

But left-back Ryan Valentine is expected to make the squad after completing 65 minutes in a friendly against Airbus in midweek following a back injury.

Defender Dan Preston could also return to the squad after serving a three-match ban.

His red card against Newport County last month was his second dismissal of the season and Sinton said the player has since been 'read the riot act.'

The centre-back rolled his ankle in midweek though, and, along with Jordan Rose (also ankle), was due to be assessed at training last night, although both were expected to be in contention for the weekend.

In contrast Nuneaton have mounting injury problems with Boro only naming four substitutes at Luton Town last weekend.

Keeper Neil Collett (knee) has become the latest to suffer a setback with Neil Cartwright (lower leg), Mark Noon (broken leg) and Kyle Patterson (ankle) are also sidelined.

Former Scotland international David McNamee returned on Tuesday and will likely start at Telford.

But former Bucks striker Kyle Perry and Danny Newton will both miss the game as they are on loan at Hereford and Hinckley respectively.

Ex-Telford players Simon Forsdick, Gavin Cowan, Andy Brown and Jon Adams should all be involved and Kevin Wilkin has been working to bring further new recruits before the weekend.