Birch is given a Trophy target

Striker Gary Birch is back in the fold for AFC Telford United's trip to Harrogate on Saturday - because boss Rob Smith does not want him Trophy-tied.

Birch is currently on loan at Southern League side Rushall Olympic, but will not be allowed to play in their FA Trophy first qualifying round clash at Mossley.

The Bucks enter the competition themselves in the third qualifying round on November 24, and Smith believes Birch could have a part to play.

"He won't be with Rushall this weekend, so he'll be travelling on the coach to Harrogate with us," said Smith.

"We don't enter the Trophy until the end of next month, and I'd expect him to be involved with us regularly by then so I don't want him trophy-tied.

"He's done well at Rushall and there's never been any doubt abut his ability, but he still has to lose the weight.

"The way we play we demand our strikers work very hard so he has to get fit."

Meanwhile, Justin Marsden could be back ahead of schedule by the end of November after chipping a bone and snapping ankle ligaments in the win over Gainsborough on September 1.

The pacy striker has had his plaster cast removed and can now step up his rehabilitation.

"Justin could be back playing in four or five weeks and that would be a right bonus," added Smith. "He can work hard now the plaster's off and get stuck into his rehab."

The Bucks' injury list has cleared considerably, with Rob Pacey and Lee Vaughan both fit for the trip to the Blue Square North leaders.

But midfielder Jamie Vermiglio (groin) is definitely out of that one and Tuesday's trip to Vauxhall Motors - despite Smith's high hopes earlier in the week.

"I was hoping he'd be back but he's not 100 per cent," the Telford chief admitted. "If he plays it will just go again so we've ruled him out."