Shropshire Star

Aaron Simpson set to give AFC Telford injury boost

AFC Telford United are hoping 'good character' Aaron Simpson will step up his recovery from a hamstring injury next week.

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The Wolves loanee, aged 20, has not played for the Bucks since limping off in the 3-2 loss against Blyth Spartans on September 2.

Boss Rob Edwards thinks the right-back, who is at the New Bucks Head for the rest of the season, should take part in the next few training sessions.

"We are hoping that he will be back in training next week," he said.

"Aaron is a really hard-working lad.

"He is a good defender and a good character around the place.

"He is a young lad and it will be important to have him back in the fold but he realises he will have to really push to get back in team as the lads have been doing well.

"You always want more options and Aaron coming back gives us that."

Simpson, who Edwards worked with during his time as a coach at Molineux, has made eight appearances for Telford in National League North.

He went on Wolves' pre-season tour of Austria during the summer, had a loan spell at Portsmouth last season and used to play for Maidstone United.

Also on the sidelines at the moment is the Bucks' longest-serving current player Jack Rea.

He has been out with an ankle injury for nearly two months and had a scan which revealed joint damage before he went to see a specialist.

On how the former skipper's recovery is going, Edwards said: "He is feeling better and the swelling has gone down a bit.

"Jack will be frustrated, more than anyone, with how things have gone but he can't do too much at the moment.

"You don't want to put too much weight on it or put too many loads in as it might flare up again.

"We have to be careful with it and not rush things."

Telford now have 21 players in their squad – two goalkeepers, seven defenders, eight midfielders and four strikers.

When asked if that number may go up or down soon, the Bucks chief added: "There is nothing happening at the moment but our ears are always close to the ground."

Meanwhile, Curtis Strong, who was recently let go by Telford, has re-signed for league rivals Tamworth.