Lucas Dawson takes his own inspiration

The in-form AFC Telford United man was described as the best midfielder in the league by boss Rob Smith after Saturday's 1-0 win against Tamworth.

Drinkwater has proved his fair share of people wrong, after leaving Manchester United without making a first-team appearance.

The 26-year-old has come from League One to being voted Man of the Match on his England debut in Tuesday's 2-1 friendly defeat to Holland at Wembley, on the back of helping Leicester top the Premier League.

The Telford midfielder said: "I watch quite a bit of football and as a kid I always watched Steven Gerrard, but now Danny Drinkwater is the one for me – he's running the show."

Dawson suffered the same fate at Stoke as Drinkwater did at United when he was released and admits it's that feeling of rejection that is spurring him on.

He said: "I sort of knew before I got called into the office because I hadn't been getting the game time, so I was already prepared. But it still wasn't a good thing to hear.

"It was the academy director and Under-21s manager Glyn Hodges who gave me the news.

"I managed to get a loan move to Carlisle who were in League One at the time and played a couple of games there, but nothing came of it.

"I carried on and I decided to prove them (Stoke) wrong – there would be nothing better than that for me and that's my aim.

"I'd love to get back to playing in the Football League, but I have to keep putting in the work and try to stand out as much as possible.

"I'm getting used to this level, but I'm still not performing as well as I think I can because I feel I've got a lot to offer. I'm only just 22 so, hopefully, I just need some luck.#

"It's a nice statement to get from the manager. There are different midfielders you see – some are good on the ball and some are more workhorse types."

While hurt at his release from his hometown club and city where he still lives, Dawson has fond memories from his time with Stoke.

He said: "That was where I felt I got the technical attributes from and the coaching staff there brought it out.

"We used to train with the first team quite often and there were a lot of good lads, such as Glenn Whelan and Charlie Adam, who gave me advice."

Dawson joined tomorrow's opponents Nuneaton when he didn't get offered anything at Carlisle.

He said: "I spent 10-15 games there at the end of last season. They had a good bunch of lads but they've all left now – most went to Solihull and they've had a change in manager too."

Telford were on the end of a 5-1 thumping against Nuneaton earlier in the season, but Dawson feels things will be different this time around as the Bucks seek a sixth straight win.

He said: "The form we're in, we're confident of getting the right result."