'Not how I want to operate' - Kevin Wilkin addresses squad turnover one month into the season

Kevin Wilkin is hopeful that the turnover of players at Telford at the start of the season is coming to an end after a busy week.

The Bucks saw three leave and two join the club last week, with Rhys Hilton, Jaiden White and Dion Kelly-Evans departing, and Mal Benning and Kian Ryley coming in.

Both White and Kelly-Evans had been at the club for less than a month, but Wilkin said their exits were necessary as he searched for a ‘winning formula.’

“It’s not generally the way that I want to operate, but given the situation we found ourselves in I needed to act promptly,” Wilkin said. “It’s unfortunate for both lads but I needed to change things around to find a winning formula.

“Jaiden and Dion came to us late in pre-season, and while I’m not saying they were unconditioned there was certainly room for improvement there for both of them physically.

“There were various factors behind the decisions though and sometimes that’s what you have to do as a manager. It’s a little bit unfortunate for them but if they can get themselves up to speed again they will be fine because they are both talented players.”

Wilkin also confirmed that there is scope for more new players to join the club, but only if they improve specific areas of Telford’s squad.

“We’re speaking with a couple of clubs about players,” he revealed. “At the moment, for whatever reason, we’re not able to prize them away, but we’ll keep trying and keep looking to improve the squad.”

Elsewhere, Telford have been drawn at home to Worksop Town in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round.

The Tigers, who beat The Bucks in the National League North in August, will head to the SEAH Stadium on Saturday, September 19.