AFC Telford in talks to re-sign Sam Austin

The teenager initially returned to the Pirelli Stadium with fellow Brewers youngster Liam Slade after their loans expired on Saturday.

But Bucks boss Rob Smith is hoping to conclude a deal that will see the talented 19-year-old winger remain with his side until the end of the season.

Smith confirmed: "We are extending Sam's loan. There's lots going on at the moment but we really want him back."

Pacy winger Austin made seven appearances at the New Bucks Head after arriving in November, starting five of them.

He's been a rare highlight in an otherwise disappointing campaign for AFC Telford.

The club initially allowed Austin and Slade, as well as Callum Hassan, to leave after their short-term deals expired, but Smith looks to have had a change of heart on Austin.

Hassan is expected to attract interest elsewhere, after Telford beat off several clubs higher up the pyramid to snap him up in November.

Meanwhile, returning defender Curtis Tilt insists Smith and assistant Larry Chambers are the men to keep the club up.

Telford are currently seven points adrift of safety at the bottom of National League North with 19 games left.

Tilt is available for Saturday's trip to Stockport after a two-match ban and then last weekend's postponement of the Hednesford game.

Saturday's game is the first of two trips to top-10 outfits with Gainsborough Trinity to follow, book-ending the re-arranged visit of the Pitmen next Tuesday.

The former Hednesford and Halesowen Town stopper said: "I think they can keep us up.

"There's been a lot of chopping and changing but that's because results have been poor and they've been trying to find a winning formula. The players have still got faith in them."