AFC Telford's Jack Rea hopeful but not expecting a miracle after ankle injection

The 25-year-old former skipper – who is the Bucks' longest-serving current player – has been out of action since limping off at Darlington in mid-August.

Having had several scans and been given advice from multiple experts, he underwent a steroid injection on his ankle this week.

If it does not have the desired effect, Rea will need an operation.

"I'm hoping, although I don't think it's a miracle cure where I'll be straight back after having it," he said.

"I have been out for 14 weeks now I think so there is obviously work for me to do, to get back into contention for games.

"I've just got to wait and see how it goes.

"I'm looking to get back training Tuesday, doing one-to-one stuff away from the rest of the squad, and I'll see how it holds up."

Rea has been working closely with Telford physio Jake Roe to try to solve the problem.

As the Bucks train at Compton Park twice a week, Wolves' head of medical Phil Hayward has been casting an eye over Rea too.

"Jake has been great and Phil from Wolves has been looking after me as well," said Rea.

"Him and Jake are putting a plan together, the work I'll be doing.

"I need to see what the injection has done. It is supposed to have reduced the pain and inflammation, so hopefully that's the case.

"It has been really frustrating as all I want to do is be back out there."

Having limped off in the 1-0 win against the Quakers, it was first though Rea would spend just a couple of weeks on the sidelines.

"It was a strange one. When I first did it, I walked away from the ground," he said.

"When we got off the coach though, it had really swelled up and I couldn't put any weight on it.

"The early scans, the ankle never looked weak.

"We thought it wouldn't be long but there has been a nagging discomfort and pain."

With the injury, Rea has been watching on from the stands on a matchday.

On Telford's recent form, he added: "It's interesting as I'm not always at the training ground, I don't see what they are doing on the training pitch.

"I'm seeing it from a fans' point of view.

"There are always positives to take, there is a lot of quality in the team – we tend to dominate possession.

"There are really good signs but sometimes we are the masters of our own downfall.

"There's a lot more positivity around the place, that's for sure."