Alex Meechan is hoping to stay at AFC Telford

Several of the club's current squad are expected to depart this summer following Telford's relegation from the Blue Square Premier.

But striker Meechan, 33, is hoping to avoid the cull that will happen after tomorrow's game and admits he would love to still be there next season.

Now in his second spell with the club, Meechan was brought in to assist caretaker boss John Psaras until the end of the season.

It came following the departure of previous caretaker manager Graham Hyde at the start of last month.

Having impressed with his tenacity and fitness in training, he was quickly signed up as a player, too, and has enjoyed significant game time during the Bucks' end-of-season run-in.

Arguably his most effective display since his return to the club came in Telford's 3-1 win at Ebbsfleet last weekend, where he helped set up two goals.

Meechan has aspirations to go into full-time management but for now he is convinced that his immediate future remains partially on the pitch.

And he would be delighted if that involved extending his stay with Telford.

He said: "I would love nothing more than to be at Telford next season in some capacity and I feel that I have got plenty to offer.

"I have done my coaching badges and coached at academies and, like virtually everyone at this age, I want to go into management eventually.

"But I have still got a few years left as a player and my immediate ambition is to keep playing."

Meechan's future, along with the rest of the playing squad, is likely to be decided once the Bucks appoint their next permanent manager.

Aside from goalkeeper Ryan Young, who signed a new one-year deal earlier this week, all decisions regarding player retention and release are expected to be made and announced after the search has been completed.

Several names have been linked with the job in the last two months – the latest being Southport boss Liam Watson, who this week announced he is to stand down from his role at Haig Avenue at the end of the season.

But Meechan feels his current boss is the right man for the job and he is hoping that, like him, Psaras will remain at the club.

Psaras took charge of the team until the end of the season eight games ago and, despite an injury crisis, led his team to a first league victory in 31 games when the Bucks won 3-1 at Ebbsfleet.

Defender Will Salmon and on-loan forward Aaron Williams, who scored a hat-trick last Saturday, have also spoken of their desire to see Psaras given a crack at the job on a permanent basis.

Meechan said: "I really hope John does get his chance. He has been committed to the cause, showed desire, kept the team's spirit up and he has really worked hard.

"He wants to succeed and he has got all the credentials."