Rob Smith happy with Telford strength in depth

Midfielder Jack Rea is a doubt for Saturday's game against Curzon Ashton after limping off in the 12th minute of Tuesday's 2-0 win over Stalybridge Celtic with a recurring ankle injury.

And former West Brom and Portsmouth man James Hurst, who joined the Bucks in the summer, will probably still be sidelined with a groin problem that needed surgery, even though he's nearing a return.

However, Sean Williams is expected to return to action at the weekend and Smith was also impressed with Callum Gittings, who replaced Rea in midfield against Stalybridge Celtic.

"I thought Callum Gittings came on and gave a masterclass in there as a midfield performance," said the Bucks boss.

"That's what we know Callum can do and we haven't seen it until now but that was an awesome performance from him."

It's highly unlikely Rea will feature this weekend though.

"It's his ankle again," said Smith. "He felt great in the warm-up but he's landed on it awkwardly and it's swollen up again.

"Jack's got to be rated as doubtful for Saturday but hopefully we'll have Sean Williams back.

"Sean's got an ankle injury as well, too swollen to play (Tuesday) but I think he'll be OK for Saturday.

"The good thing is that shows the squad is good enough and that we can cope with the injuries that we're getting because we're getting a few at the minute.

"James Hurst has taken another step up, he looks really sharp, so that's the pleasing thing, that the squad is coping."

Saturday's opponents shipped a whopping 10 goals in their opening two National League North games, but they beat Alfreton Town 1-0 on Saturday and lost narrowly to Darlington 1883 on Monday night.

It was a match that Smith went to watch and he is expecting a tough encounter.

"I thought they were tremendous to be honest," he said. "They're a really good little football side, so it's a tough game and nobody can be under any illusions it's not.

"They're a good little team, but yes we can go there and win and that's what we'll be looking to do.

"If we do, it's not been an horrendous start."