Dan Preston ready for second chance at Bucks

The centre-back made his first appearance in over three months as a half-time substitute in Saturday's 2-1 victory at home to Boston United.

Now it's back to the New Bucks Head as 2014 begins with the visit of Hednesford Town in a top-of-the-table Skrill Conference North clash, with Preston in for the injured Chris Lever.

Only a cock-eyed optimist could have predicted that when the 22-year-old was put up-for-sale and loaned out to Barrow and Stourbridge, but he's determined to make the most of his second chance.

He said: "I wasn't expecting to make another appearance for Telford, with the way they are playing, but I always had the intention of coming back and fighting for a place.

"I have unfinished business here, so I have to take my chance now and I am looking to stay for as long as I can. I have worked hard, away from here and in the gym, to get back into contention.

"I want to get back into the Conference Premier and play as high as I can, Telford are a big non-league club and the only way they are going is up. I feel this is a winning team."

The buoyed Buck will come up against fellow former Birmingham City trainee Darren Campion, along with a host of other familiar faces, when the Pitmen arrive in Shropshire tomorrow.

Preston was linked with a move to Hednesford when he became available earlier in the season, but insists he was never offered the move.

He said: "I am looking forward to it so much, it's likely to be the biggest game of the season in front of a large crowd at our place. If we can get three points, it could put us in control at the top.

"I heard the rumours about me going to Hednesford, but it was never put to me. It would have been a difficult move for me to make, with the rivalry between the two clubs.

"I played in the same youth team at Blues as their captain, Darren Campion, I know Kris Taylor from when he was at Telford and Robert Thompson-Brown lives near me in Birmingham."

Tomorrow would only be the third start under manager Liam Watson, after playing as part of a three-man central defensive unit in losses to Harrogate Town and Bradford Park Avenue.

By the end of October, Preston headed to Barrow, where ex-Buck Alex Meechan was in caretaker charge, and then dropped down to Southern Premier League side Stourbridge last month.

He said: "I have started two games this season and, in the second one, three at the back didn't work for the team or for me, either. I know what was going to happen and I had no complaints.

"I hadn't asked for a move, as such, it was just that I wanted to play games and the gaffer helped me to do that. I knew I was out-of-favour. Going to Barrow was all down to Alex Meechan, really.

"A month was long enough, with all of the travelling as it's a long journey. But it got me match-fit again by playing a decent run of games, which brought the best out of me.

"I went to Stourbridge, which started well enough but then I got ill and missed a couple of games. They are a good club and, if they are not promoted this season, I think they will next year.

"I might have extended my loan there if Liam hadn't called me back, which was bang on the end of the first month."

Preston's name was mud, at times, during last year's relegation from the Premier, spending 10 games suspended for two red cards early on in the campaign.

He said: "I have had my critics here, I enjoyed my first year and it was tough for me last season but, without the red cards, it could have been different for me.

"I could have shown more discipline, so I could see why people were getting on my back. I was a young lad when I signed for Telford so, hopefully, I am growing into more of a man now."

By Craig Birch