‘Fantastic young man’: Boss backs AFC Telford loan starlet for big future

Boss Kevin Wilkin hopes young loan starlet Rio Owen can continue to flourish after making an impressive start at AFC Telford United.

The Bucks boss has heaped further praise on the 19-year-old, who joined Telford on loan from Championship side Wrexham this summer.

The teenage forward has made an immediate impact in attack, scoring an equaliser against Merthyr Town before providing the cross for Matty Stenson’s goal in Telford’s 1-1 draw with Hednesford Town on Saturday.

“Rio worked his socks off for us and had a great game for a young man, feeling his way into the senior game,” Wilkin said after the draw with the Pitmen.

“He’s been excellent for us in the two games that he’s played so far. Hopefully, he continues to learn and improve. And hopefully, we do the same.”

Owen’s headed goal helped Telford secure a point in a rollercoaster 2-2 draw at Merthyr, before the Bucks surrendered another lead against Hednesford to remain winless in the National League North.

Wilkin believes Owen has exactly the qualities he looks for in a player and has backed the youngster to enjoy a successful career.

The Bucks boss added: “He does have a lot of energy and he’s not at full strength yet.

“As he gets a little bit older, he will get that little bit stronger. When he’s that bit stronger in certain duels and tussles, he’ll be coming out on top on more occasions.

“But he’s a willing runner. He’s a little bit different to what we had through pre-season. It would have been nice to have been working with him through pre-season and for a little bit longer.

“But everything he’s shown me at the moment, yeah he’s certainly going to go on and have a good career, providing he stays injury-free.

“He is a fantastic young man who conducts himself in the right way, he’s eager and really keen to work hard for the team. I love it when we’ve got boys like that in the side.”