Kittrick: AFC Telford squad is complete

Kittrick is happy with his squad and prepared to unleash them on the National League North, starting with Saturday's opener at Lowestoft Town.

The Bucks chief is still waiting anxiously to check on the extent of midfielder Mike Grogan's knee injury, which will be assessed following training tonight.

But despite the loss of three close-season signings in Neil Harvey, Jay Denny and now Tom Thorley, Kittrick is content with his squad.

It comes following the capture of defenders Mark Lees and Jack Deaman, the latter on a six-month loan from Cheltenham Town.

Kittrick said: "I need for it to settle down because we've got what we want to a certain extent. We need to see how we go, and if we start off alright then fine – but if we need to add then we shall.

"But, hopefully, we'll stay injury-free, pass it and play and get good results. It's early days and this team has been put together in a few weeks – I've only retained three from last season.

"So we'll have our ups and downs but we're trying to play football and do things in the right way. If we can do that and be successful, that will be great."

Alex Fletcher scored an excellent winner in the final pre-season friendly against Market Drayton Town on Monday night.

And Kittrick believes the freed Shrewsbury scholar could be the calming influence to form a central midfield partnership with Jack Rea.

The Bucks boss said: "Jack's a good player but my concern is the way he plays, he's always going to pick an injury up.

"He's always buzzing around and he needs someone else with him. But if 'Fletch' is the steady head at the side of him – sitting and picking people up – that will calm him down.

"Fletch has done well – he's just 17 and we have to remember that, but he's only going to get better."