Jack Rea won't walk back into the team, says AFC Telford boss Rob Edwards
AFC Telford United boss Rob Edwards believes Jack Rea has a big fight to get back in the team when he recovers from injury.
Rea, 25, has been on the sidelines with an ankle problem since August.
The central midfielder is now training with the rest of the squad, though, following a successful steroid injection in his ankle.
"He has obviously been training," said Edwards.
"Over the last week or so, though, over Christmas it has been a bit different.
"He's got to work really hard in training and then we'll keep assessing him and see when he's ready."
Rea is the club's longest-serving current player, having joined from Bradford Park Avenue in January 2015.
The Bucks' former skipper, he was a regular in the side last season but has only made three appearances this campaign due to his injury.
Once ready to be considered for match action, which is likely to be in the next month, he will be up competing against the likes of Jordan Lussey, Henry Cowans and Jon Royle for a starting spot.
On whether Rea will have a tough task in returning to the starting line-up, Edwards said: "He will, but that's what we want as that motivates people.
"If they handle it in the right way, that creates an environment we want – people being driven and focused, working hard to get in the team.
"And at the same time, when they're not in the team, they encourage the others.
"There'll always be disappointment, I get that, but you have to react in the right way.
"There's more lows than highs in football – trust me, I've experienced that – so you have to enjoy those highs when they come.
"You have to work hard every day and if you're having a bad time, you have to fight."
And Edwards feels Telford's competitive spirit has been there for all to see in recent games.
He added: "That's what you have got to do, it's about battling and fighting – doing all that side of it.
"If you don't work hard, you'll never get anything out of the game.
"The boys are really doing that at the moment, you can see it in their performances.
"If we keep doing that, doing the right things, then the wins will come."
