Jonathan Royle set to miss AFC Telford's Boxing Day clash says Rob Smith
AFC Telford United boss Rob Smith has confirmed Jonathan Royle will miss the Boxing Day clash with Alfreton Town – and Paul McCone is a doubt.
Royle injured his groin in the 1-1 draw at FC Halifax Town last weekend, while McCone was left out of the squad through illness.
Smith expects midfielder Royle to be out for a 'couple of weeks' and centre-half McCone is not at 100 per cent.
Also, Elliott Hodge missed training on Thursday after being involved in a car accident. He is not injured and due to be in the squad.
"Jon definitely won't be available for Boxing Day," said Smith.
"It is a muscle injury and it is still early stages yet. We will continue to look at it and see how he is getting on.
"A couple of weeks out, that is probably what it will be. Paul did not train earlier in the week and has been laying low.
"We are very, very low on numbers and (coach) Gav (Cowan) may have to be on the bench, with a youth team player on the bench as well."
The match on Monday will be Telford's first at the New Bucks Head since the 2-0 win against Darlington on November 19.
After four successive away games, Smith is seeking to make the most of being in familiar surroundings.
"It will be good to back. It has been a tough period for us being away over this last month," he said.
