Rob Smith will take top half for AFC Telford

The Bucks were 18th in National League North last season and title odds of 11-1 offered by Betway left Smith somewhat surprised.

He has managed to add nine new names to his squad over a busy summer, including strikers Tom Peers and Danny Reynolds, and expects his side to kick on.

But he's refusing to get carried away, saying: "Someone told me we're fifth or sixth favourites to win the league.

"That's a bit extreme to be going from relegation candidates to winning promotion.

"If you offered me the chance of finishing in the top half of the table, I'd take it now – but if everything clicks and we work hard, you never know.

"It's a ridiculously hard league – I've never known anything like it."

Smith has managed to do plenty of business this summer, but he's been shocked by some of the negotiations behind closed doors.

He said: "I wish I was a player again, because the wages compared to when I played are ridiculous.

"You're getting average players demanding stupid money, but we are where we are."

Meanwhile, Paul McCone will feel like a new signing when he returns to the Telford team.

The centre-back has now completed his first two sessions of training since rupturing his cruciate ligament last November.

When asked how he found training, McCone said: "Tiring, I haven't done a lot since last November and Tuesday was first time I had really run.

"It was a bit of an eye-opener. I feel fit in myself but my legs are obviously a bit weak, so they seem to be going like jelly."

The 24-year-old hopes to be back playing in September or October.

He admitted: "Thursday was the first time I kicked a ball, and I was a bit dubious to start with.

"It's hard to get your head around it, I haven't played many games in the last couple of years. But as soon as you start doing something, you start to build your confidence."