Shropshire Star

It may be best for Marcus Dinanga to stay at AFC Telford – Rob Edwards

Top scorer Marcus Dinanga would benefit from spending another year at AFC Telford United, boss Rob Edwards believes.

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The 20-year-old Burton Albion loanee has made a big impression with the Bucks, netting 22 times across all competitions.

His current contract with the Brewers expires in June, with the club holding an option to extend his deal by another year.

"It's a big jump going up into the Football League," said Edwards.

"It's not that he's not capable, but maybe another year at National League sort of level would do him well.

"He did well in the division below last year and scored a lot of goals, and he's done the same again.

"Him and his agent may be looking to progress, but there's no rush in football – there's always going to be interest in strikers with pace and a good left foot.

"Either way, I'm sure there will be people watching him – as they should – as he's a very good lad."

Dinanga spent last campaign on loan at Matlock Town in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier, scoring 34 goals, and has been a constant menace to defences in National League North for Telford.

He is yet to play for the first team at Burton, who are most likely going to be playing in League One next term, but impressed manager Nigel Clough by scoring several times in friendlies last summer.

On whether there has been discussions with the Brewers on extending his stay at the New Bucks Head, Edwards said: "I've just had to concentrate on our games."

Edwards feels Dinanga's outstanding quality is his work rate.

He has not been starting every match recently, Kane Richards and Amari Morgan-Smith also getting regular game time, as the Telford chief has been keen to keep all his attacking options fresh.

"I think it's 13 or 14 goals in the league, which is a decent return," added Edwards.

"Of course, you want your strikers scoring goals but the most important thing has been his work rate, all season long.

"We've been able to rotate it a little bit up there recently with having Amari, Kane and Jordan (Murphy) so he's fresh – they all are.

"Marcus has got us three or four really important goals recently. He has done well for us."