I don't want to hear the 'R' word, says AFC Telford boss Steve Kittrick
AFC Telford boss Steve Kittrick is refusing to contemplate the 'R' word ahead of his team's potentially decisive home clash with Kidderminster Harriers tomorrow.
Failure to beat their Midlands rivals would rubber-stamp The Bucks' relegation from the Conference Premier just 12 months after they won promotion from the tier below.
Even victory might not be enough if fifth-from-bottom Alfreton avoid defeat at Wrexham, which would leave the Bucks with an unassailable gap to safety in their remaining four games.
But Kittrick, whose team are 15 points from safety with five games remaining, said: "I don't want anybody talking about relegation.
"At this moment it is on the horizon but we want to get further and further away from it. We have got to be professional about everything we do until it isn't mathematically possible.
Realistic
"I have never been in this position but at the end of the day it is a winnable game tomorrow and we have got to think about what we do, and be professional about what we do. In every game we play three points is realistic and that is how we have to approach it."
The Bucks chief should be boosted by the return to fitness of midfielder Danny Ventre, who limped out of last weekend's defeat at Dover with an ankle injury.
He was withdrawn at half-time after picking up a knock in the warm-up but is raring to go for Telford this weekend.
He said: "I am OK. I strained my ankle ligaments but I will be alright for tomorrow and I want to play."
Fellow midfielder Jordan Deacey does not look likely to figure tomorrow though after allegedly refusing to come off the bench last Saturday.
Defender Rod McDonald remains a doubt because of a recent broken nose while midfielder Jack Rea remains sidelined with a knee injury.
