Mat Bailey leaving Telford to prove his fitness

The 27-year-old has been rehabbing with the Bucks since suffering a cruciate ligament injury at Nantwich and is close to a full recovery, but is not match fit.

The towering 6ft 7in former Crewe man has played just 45 minutes of football for Telford in a friendly at Welsh Premier League side Airbus last week, as a centre-half.

Manager Liam Watson won't sign him to a deal until he has proved his fitness and the player has maintained a good relationship with Nantwich.

Bailey works for the club's main sponsors, County Insurance, and Watson has touched base with Nantwich counterpart Danny Johnson about a temporary stint, on non-contract terms.

All parties are happy for Bailey to go back to playing in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, but Watson doesn't think there's a risk he will be gone for good.

He said: "Mat is looking to go and get some games for Nantwich, he's got a good relationship with the club and only left because he wanted to play at a higher level.

"He's made it clear he wants to play for Telford and we have shown our commitment to him during his rehabilitation, now he just needs time on the pitch to get him match fit.

"Getting a fit Mat Bailey was the whole intention of bringing him here."

Watson made a personal check on one of his out-on-loan players, midfielder Martyn Jackson, in Stafford Rangers' 2-2 draw at home to Marine on Tuesday night.

Jackson was replaced at half-time with a hamstring injury but, even in half a game, suitably impressed the boss at his parent club.

Watson said: "Martyn was outstanding on Tuesday night, he was the best player on the pitch in the first-half. Unfortunately, he had to go off at half-time as he had tweaked his hamstring.

"He was at the fore-front of everything Stafford were creating, he's gone there and he's learning what first-team football is all about.

"The point of him going out on loan was to build his character, as there's no doubting he has talent."