Rob Smith: AFC Telford United won't slip up against Avenue

Telford's problems in front of goal have been well-documented so far this season but Avenue are rock-bottom in the National League North.

They have failed to win any of their first 12 games and have conceded 33 goals.

Still, Smith is keen to not take anything for granted.

"They have a new manager in Mark Bower, a man who I know well from his time at Guiseley," he said.

"He managed to get them promoted from this division and kept them up in the National League last season as well so he's a good manager.

"Like us, they didn't have a game last weekend so he has had a fortnight to work with the squad and it is probably the worst time to be facing them."

Smith has also urged the players to be prepared for the Horsfall Stadium, which has a running track all the way around the pitch.

"You have to, as a player, make sure you are prepared properly for it," said Smith.

"I have said to them, it's not like playing at home at New Bucks Head.

"We have got two or three fixtures now against teams in and around us so the target is to be picking up results from those.

"We need to be out of trouble by the end of October, and moving up the table, and I am confident we will be."

In terms of the squad, Smith is set to welcome back defender Dan Preston, who was not included in the squad for the last match against Chorley.

Long-term absentee Paul McCone has also trained this week and the boss is hopeful he can be included in the 16-man squad.

McCone has spent almost a year on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.