AFC Telford still looking for a defender
AFC Telford United boss Steve Kittrick is 'banging his head against a brick wall' in his tiresome search for an experienced centre-back to add to his squad.
The Bucks chief admitted it remains his priority to add a couple of experienced defensive minded players, after tying up deals for a number of attacking options recently.
He said: "At the moment, it's like I'm banging my head against a brick wall. We've got to get it sorted out sooner rather than later.
"It's an absolute priority to get some experience of this level at the back for us. We've got a few young lads there who haven't got too much experience.
"I'm still confident but now it remains our goal to get a couple of experienced defensive individuals in after bringing in the attackers recently.
"Sometimes you think 'maybe we've set our sights too high' - when these players are turning us down for National League Premier clubs but we've got to keep progressing with it and get it sorted."
Ian Sharps has departed for Chester with Neil Byrne joining Macclesfield Town. Right-back Josh Brizell is also missing for a number of weeks with a broken wrist.
Full-back Sam Ottley, who had been training as a trialist at New Bucks Head, has agreed a move elsewhere.
Kittrick said: "I think Sam has gone to agree terms at Notts County. Which shows the kind of calibre we're looking at. Players who are capable of going on and playing at a higher level.
"We are OK to cope with Josh's injury at the moment as Izak Reid looks like he's able to play well there for us.
"But when we get our centre-half in we'll be able to switch things about a bit more in the back line and going forward with Izak."
The Bucks welcome a Derby County team to Telford tonight - and Kittrick is intrigued to see how his youthful side will handle the professional outfit.
He said: "It will be interesting to see the development. I learned a few things about a couple of the lads against Walsall and that's what we hope for again.
"It'll be a different test for them but any test is a good one in pre-season. If any trialists we are looking at continue to impress and show they have what it takes, then we will take them on."
