Gavin Cowan: AFC Telford's Andy Wycherley will benefit from time out

Wycherley, 20, was left out of the starting XI for the second league game in a row at the weekend, with Stoke loanee Josef Bursik taking his place between the sticks.

An England Under-19 international, and Under-17 World Cup-winner in 2017, Bursik came back in for the 1-0 loss to Kidderminster after missing the FA Trophy win at Hartlepool due to being cup-tied.

And on leaving Wycherley among the substitutes, Cowan said: “Josef has come in to be our goalkeeper.

“Josef will end up going back to Stoke, but I have to see the bigger picture with Andy.

“His concentration was lacking and he probably got a bit complacent before Josef came in.

“With a young lad like that, you have to make sure you keep him on his toes. He’s long-term, for me, Andy, so I have to manage him and look after his welfare.”

Wycherley – who is from The Rock and was a Telford fan growing up – joined the Bucks in the summer after turning down fresh terms at Welsh Premier champions The New Saints.

Initially the third-choice shot-stopper under Cowan, he ended up grabbing the No.1 shirt and impressed – so much so Max Bramley, who was due to be on loan from Leicester for the season, ended up being sent back to the Foxes early.

But Bursik – after impressing for Hednesford Town in the Northern Premier during the first half of the season – was then brought in to aid Telford’s National League North play-off push.

And Cowan insists Wycherley now knows he is real competition on his hands.

“We have to make sure we’re not just throwing Andy in, and him getting loads of games,” he added. “He has to understand that he’s got to be at his best every week.

“He was brilliant last week against Hartlepool, and he would have found himself unlucky on Saturday.

“But it’s about his long-term, and Josef is a very good goalkeeper.

“We’re fortunate to have two good ones.”