Former skipper Steve Palmer fears for AFC Telford

Palmer played more than 260 games across two spells for the Bucks, who are second bottom in National League North and six league games without a win.

He captained Telford to promotion in his second stint after impressing for them in the Conference – now known as the National League – in his first.

"I know they've had a difficult run of fixtures. It is difficult," said Palmer.

"The club have gone down a route that I wasn't 100 per cent comfortable with.

"I don't want to see them in trouble, though. I hope they pull clear but Conference North is not easy.

"It is a far better league than when I played in it. It's probably as good as the Conference was back then."

Telford Hall of Fame member Palmer feels the Bucks' training schedule – sessions on Monday and Friday afternoons, and Tuesday and Thursday evenings – has played a part in their struggle to sign an experienced central defender.

The club are hopeful of pulling off a deal this week for one this week, though.

"They're training full-time, pretty much," said Palmer.

"Do experienced players, who have jobs, want to do that?

"They need some experience, we know that, but it's not always easy to find."

Palmer played under Rob Smith and Larry Chambers at the New Bucks Head.

Smith and Chambers' second spell in charge of Telford came to an abrupt end last summer, to make way for current boss Rob Edwards.

On the Bucks' chances of survival, Palmer added: "It may take a couple of years of this regime for them to find out where they are – and how far they can go.

"As an ex-player, though, the situation does worry me. It was similar last year.

"Telford are probably better off financially but, last year, I always felt Rob and Larry were capable of pulling a result out of the bag.

"The one thing they do have now is players that can score goals and I have a lot of time for the likes of (assistant boss) Shaun Parrish.

"I hope they sort it out, I really do."