AFC Telford loanee Liam Slade ruled out for two games

The on-loan Burton Albion centre-back has suffered a recurrence of a groin injury and will miss today's derby at Hednesford and Monday's visit of Gloucester.

"Liam's got a recurrence of a groin injury so it looks like he's out for the next two games," said boss Rob Smith, who is hoping Slade will be fit for next Saturday's National League North return against the Pitmen.

Slade was an unused substitute for last Saturday's 1-0 win against Lowestoft when Graham Hutchison started his second spell with Telford and played alongside Curtis Tilt.

But Slade's absence is ill-timed when the Bucks are without two fellow defenders in Paul McCone and Darren Campion, while Jack Deaman is due to return to Cheltenham after next Saturday's clash against Hednesford.

Meanwhile, new signing Jordan Wynter has been urged to make the most of his 'shop-window' opportunity at Telford.

The 22-year-old arrived on a month's loan from Cheltenham to make his debut in the 2-0 defeat to Chester in the FA Trophy two weeks ago.

Wynter joined another new central midfield recruit, Tom Tonks from Stourbridge, for last week's win against Lowestoft.

Larry Chambers snapped up the Arsenal academy graduate after a chance question to Robins boss Gary Johnson when discussing Deaman.

And he reckons Wynter has the perfect platform to showcase his talents at Telford. "It's a month's loan for the time being with the option to extend it at a busy time for us with some big games coming up, so it's a shop-window opportunity for him," said assistant boss Chambers.

"Jordan is athletic, six foot two ins tall, competitive and box-to-box so he's a physical presence in the middle of the park to help Jack Rea.

"They are probably a lot of the things we've been lacking for a while."

Smith and Chambers are pleased with their added strength in the middle of the pitch with Wynter and Tonks.

"Tom didn't care about the nerves and in fairness, at half-time last week, he just walked in and said 'This is our game, lads'," said Smith.

"He's everything we've been missing.

"The long throw is a weapon but it's not just that, it's his all-round character and quality.

"We're starting to look now like we can win balls in the middle of the park and he's going to be brilliant for us."