Birch is urged to get in shape

Birch was a January signing from Lincoln City and arrived at the New Bucks Head with a good pedigree, having scored 10 goals in League Two last season.

But despite launching his Telford career with a late winner at Mossley on his debut, he has since failed to impress.

He was given his first start in a Telford shirt at Matlock on Saturday, but was substituted at half-time after an ineffective 45 minutes.

"Gary Birch will prove to be a good signing, but he's not fit and I think he agrees with that," said Smith.

"I was expecting a bit more from him on Saturday. He needs to work dramatically on his fitness and unless he gets himself in shape then he'll be a bit-part player for the rest of the season."

Smith admits to some surprise at how out of shape the 25-year-old forward is, given that he was a full-time professional at Sincil Bank - and had harsh words for the coaching at Lincoln.

"He was supposed to be on full-time training and I think it's scandalous," he declared. "Gary tells me he was frozen out of the first team squad and had to train with the youths in the afternoon.

"Whatever the reasons, he's not in shape. Give him one of my pre-seasons though, and I'm sure it will be different. Gary wants to move back up the leagues but that won't happen if his fitness doesn't improve."

Meanwhile, Smith is keeping his fingers crossed that defender Jimmy Turner will be fit for Saturday's trip to Gateshead.

Turner was struggling with a dead leg at Matlock and even had to spend time on the pitch with Rudy Farquharson at half-time in order to be able to continue.

Smith added: "We'll keep an eye on it and we're sweating on that one a little bit."

By Chris Hudson