Jack Rea approaching fitness for AFC Telford

The ball-winner was forced off at half-time in Tuesday night's 0-0 draw at Brackley Town with a sickness bug. after feeling ill during the day.

But the school teacher returned to work yesterday and is set to rejoin training tonight to be in contention for the crunch game as the Bucks aim to secure National League North survival.

Rea said: "It was a bit of a weird one – I didn't feel too bad in myself but I had an upset tummy before the game and went to the toilet three times during the warm-up and then had to quickly run inside again.

"Then when I was playing I didn't feel too bad but, perhaps, with going to the toilet so much I felt lethargic and a bit weak.

"But I went to work yesterday and felt OK so I think my energy levels were just a bit down.

"Hopefully I can eat well over the next couple of days, train tonight and I should be OK as we build up to a massive game on Saturday."

Rea is looking forward to locking horns again with Worcester after a 3-0 loss at Aggborough in November.

He said: "We owe them one because the last time we played them we really didn't perform."

Rea was replaced by Graham Hutchison at half-time with Mike Grogan switching from central defence to midfield.

The former Guiseley man was frustrated to be below par in such a big game and relieved the Bucks had options to replace him.

He said: "I was gutted because I'd prepared really well, so to have that before the game was a kick in the teeth and I want to see us pushing on.

"But I just didn't have the energy in me so I had to go to Rob (Smith, manager) at half-time and tell him I literally didn't have anything in me.

"Thankfully we've got players who can come in – Mike Grogan has won the league playing that position and 'Hutch' slotted in at the back. If it hadn't have been him, Sean Clancy can also slot in too."

The draw left Telford two points clear of the drop zone with two games left.

Rea is relieved the Bucks still have their destiny in their own hands after Hednesford were relegated on Tuesday without playing, courtesy of Lowestoft's 2-1 win over Worcester.

He said: "The talk before our game was if we won, we were out of it. But if we didn't, to make sure we didn't lose and that's what we did."