"It's up to him" - Kevin Wilkin sets out challenge to Telford outcast amid fitness doubts

Telford boss Kevin Wilkin has explained the reason why midfielder Jack Lambert has played such a peripheral role in his squad so far this season.

The 27-year-old joined the Bucks in August after a good season in the National League North with King’s Lynn Town, but has started just four of the 12 league games this season, and is yet to register a goal.

Despite facing an injury crisis the Telford boss has still not felt able to trust Lambert, citing concerns around his fitness and commitment.

“Jack wouldn’t have had the minutes that he would have liked, but he’s got to impress on me that he’s got the physical capabilities to be able to deal with what I need from him,” Wilkin said. “At the moment I still need a bit of convincing on that, so that’s where we’re at with things.

“I’ve no doubt that with the ball at his feet Jack is a very, very capable player, but being able to get around the pitch for a full game is definitely an area he has got to improve.

“He’s aware of that, but whether or not he gets to that level is really up to him.

“There’s no lack of support around him and hopefully he can get there, but nobody else can do it for him.”

Wilkin also suggested that the injury crisis he has been forced to deal with has served to give Lambert even more opportunity to improve his fitness levels, but admitted doubts over the amount of work the 27-year-old is putting in away from his time at the club.

“He’s got to grasp it himself,” the Bucks boss added. “What players do when they’re not in our environment or within our structure is up to them, and they have to be doing the extra bits away from their time with us.

“Jack is aware that he needs to be doing stuff away from training nights, and whether he’s doing enough of that is a question only Jack can answer.

“I know there needs to be an improvement on that front, because eventually we’re going to have to have a conversation and see where things lie.

“The fact that we’ve been low on numbers has possibly bought Jack some more time with us, and delayed that conversation about where we go in the future.

“He’s had more time to be able to get in and around the group, but now numbers are hopefully starting to look a little stronger and the intensity within the group starts to move forward I’m clearly going to have to have conversations with players if I don’t feel they are moving to that intensity with us.”

Elsewhere, Wrexham loanee Rio Owen has been ruled out for the rest of 2026 with a back injury, while Wolves youngster Lewys Benjamin has undergone surgery to repair a knee injury picked up last month.

Jamie Meddows is nearing a return to action after making good progress on his ankle injury, while Matty Stenson continues to report issues with his toe.