Liam Watson ready to recall AFC Telford duo
AFC Telford United manager Liam Watson is looking forward to welcoming back influential duo Godfrey Poku and Mike Phenix for Sunday's visit of Aldershot.
But the Bucks chief is pessimistic about defender Rod McDonald's chances of making a return from an ankle injury in the same game.
Poku and Phenix were suspended for Tuesday's 3-2 defeat at home to Macclesfield Town, having been sent off on the opening day of the season against Welling.
Asked if his side had missed their influence, Watson said: "Of course we did.
"That is a fact, it is what happens but if you pick up silly yellow cards and you get sent off, well then the whole team loses out.
"But obviously those two give us a bit more bite and pace and they will both be back in the squad."
McDonald had also been targeting the Aldershot game for his return to action, having been sidelined for more than four weeks.
He is nearing a return and manager Liam Watson has not ruled out his inclusion in the squad.
But having missed more than four weeks of training, the Telford chief conceded it was unlikely he will be thrown into the fray so soon.
Watson said: "I wouldn't say he'll be a million miles off it, but he needs to do a bit of fitness work if I am being honest.
"He has been out for a good few weeks, since the pre-season friendly against Bala (July 15)."
Left-back Chris Lever is also still a major doubt, having been sidelined by a hamstring injurypicked up against FC United in the Bucks' last pre-season game.
Watson will have a stronger hand to play this weekend, but admitted it will mean nothing if his team is unable to cut out the defensive errors which littered the first half of Tuesday's game.
Watson put the poor start partially down to the arrival of four players – Andy Owens, Mike Grogan, Sean Clancy and Steve Akrigg – just 15 minutes before kick-off because of an accident on the M56.
