Ian Sharps open to staying at AFC Telford

Sharps, 34, became manager Steve Kittrick's most eye-catching signing so far when earlier this month he arrived at the New Bucks Head on a deal until the end of the season.

The former Shrewsbury Town defender was told in January that he can leave the Pirelli Stadium by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, manager of the League Two promotion-chasing Brewers.

On prolonging his stay at Telford, Sharps said: "I am open to any suggestion, I have enjoyed my time here so far. They are a good bunch of lads and they have good facilities at Telford."

Sharps, who settled in Shropshire during his time at the Greenhous Meadow, has already been made the Bucks' club captain.

He's also taking on some of the duties previously undertaken by assistant manager Andy Todd, who departed the club for Hednesford earlier this month.

Sharps said: "I did a little bit of coaching with the lads which was a good test - to play and coach at the same time.

"It was fun, the lads were lively, and I would like to do more of it, but my job is (predominantly) to play football at the moment."

Sharps' focus is fixed firmly on trying to keep Telford in the Conference Premier. But in the longer term, he would like to remain in the game once his playing career has finished.

He said: "I think coaching is the first port of call. It is something I want to do and I do really enjoy it.

"Long term, maybe management would appeal, but I think jumping straight to management from being a player is a big ask.

"The two roles are very different. Management is not only about putting a team out. You get phone call after phone call, you have got a lot of other things to deal with.

"I don't think I have got enough knowledge to deal with that at the moment to be honest.

"It is something I maybe want to look at doing in the future but I have got a lot of learning to do before then."