Senior service for AFC Telford's new loanee

The young Bolton Wanderers full-back, who joined the Bucks on a month's loan last week, has yet to play his first senior competitive game.

But Matthews, who signed his first professional contract with the Championship club last May, is determined to change that during his stay at the New Bucks Head.

He said: "It will be a big step up from Under-21 football because it is men's football – but I am an aggressive player so I don't think that will phase me.

I will get stuck in and I'll always give 100 per cent. Hopefully, I will make my debut (at Eastleigh) on Saturday and if I do get on, I want to take my chance and stay in the team."

Should the 20-year-old make his bow on Saturday, it will mark the end of a testing year in football for the talented full-back.

Matthews had hoped for a senior appearance while on loan at Conference North Stalybridge Celtic in April.

But he injured his anterior cruciate knee ligament and has since endured the long route back to full fitness.

He said: "When I make my debut, it will be a big achievement from where I was 10 months ago. I wouldn't have seen myself on loan at a Conference Premier team back then.

"It has taken a while to recover and I had a few setbacks with it. Coming back from it I pulled my hamstring twice, but my ACL is fine now.

"But I need games and when I spoke to the (Telford) manager he said that if I come here I can get a few games and hopefully help the team."

Matthews is a member of the development squad at Bolton.

But he remains open about his future, and would be happy to extend his Telford stay if it proves successful.

He added: "I am on a month's loan but, if I do well, it could be extended to the end of the season."