AFC Telford boss Liam Watson puts Mat Bailey decision on hold

The Bucks boss argues that the towering 6ft 7in former Crewe man is still not fully match-fit, having watched him play only a tiny bit-part for Nantwich this week.

Watson missed Telford's 2-1 friendly victory at Chester on Tuesday night to watch Nantwich's game against Chorley, where Bailey came on in the last minute.

The 27-year-old left Nantwich at the end of last season after suffering a serious cruciate ligament injury, with Telford taking him on for his rehabilitation.

Bailey even posed for the team photograph before the season got underway and played his first match minutes for them last month, 30 minutes of a friendly at Airbus.

He was sent back to Nantwich on non-contract forms last month but has made just one start since, with five second-half substitute appearances and two goals.

Watson said: "Mat hasn't completed a full 90 minutes for Nantwich yet and I am not going to bring him back until I know he can play a full game.

"He's 6ft 7in and mobile, so he's going to be a handful.

"But, with the injury he has had, we can't just be throwing him in.

"For instance, Matt only got on for a couple of minutes when I was there the other night, which is disappointing.

"He needs to be playing more than he is, so I think he's a bit frustrated with that.

"It's a serious injury but it's common enough, people get over it."