Ace striker Tom Ward and new signings Ashley Burd and David Andrewartha, are likely to boost Town’s squad for tomorrow’s big Greenfields battle with second-in-the-table Kidsgrove.
Ward, out since the start of the season with an ankle injury was undergoing a precautionary fitness test in training last night but reckons he could have had a run out last Saturday against Carlton Town.
He stayed on the sidelines because his leg swelled up a little in pre-match training but said at the time: “I think I could have run it off - I certainly want to play against Kidsgrove.”
Burd, a left sided player with plenty of Midland Alliance games under his belt and Andrewartha, a right back who was with Telford for several seasons and captained them when they were at Town’s level in the UniBond League, are considered experienced, steady, defenders.
“With so many players going in the last couple of months, we need a few more experienced men to help strengthen us,” says new player - manager Andy Pryce.
“It will be a big day for them, the team and the club.
“A good result from a big match is just what we need to get things off on the right footing again.
“We have a great group of guys but we lack experience in some quarters.
“Ashley and David have been around the non-league circuit for a while, know the ropes and hopefully will be able to help settle the squad.
“Having Wardie back will be a tremendous boost - especially if it’s against Kidsgrove.
“It will be a tough test for us. They’re on fire at the moment, scoring a hatfull of goals virtually every game.
“They’ll be out for revenge too for this season we’ve beaten them 3-2 at Greenfields in the UniBond President’s Cup and drawn three-apiece at their place in the league.
“Not many sides have got that much out of them this season.”
The only cloud on Pryce’s horizon is the hamstring strain which forced Jamie Haynes out of last weekend’s defeat to Carlton Athletic.
“We’ll probably give him a late fitness test but things are not looking too hopefull,” said Pryce,
“We need a fit Jamie Haynes for his form has been one of the little golden nuggets shining through all our recent problems.”
