A happy selection problem

Smith has wing-back Lee Vaughan and skipper Steve Palmer back from one-game suspensions, while Richard Beale is fit once more after recovering from a knee injury.

AFC Telford United boss Rob Smith has his biggest selection headache of the season ahead of the visit of Ilkeston Town tonight - and he couldn't be happier.

Smith has wing-back Lee Vaughan and skipper Steve Palmer back from one-game suspensions, while Richard Beale is fit once more after recovering from a knee injury.

But accommodating them will be no easy task, with the team that played at the weekend having trounced Gateshead 4-0 to extend the clubs' UniBond League premier division winning run to eight.

"It's difficult but it's what I want," said a satisfied Smith. "I've got two of the most consistent players all season back and it's great to have Richard Beale fit again.

"No-one is injured from the weekend so it's the first time this season that we'll have had a major headache.

"The trouble over the last few months has been to get a team out at all, what with injuries and suspensions and losing Gary Hay, and that has been a very different headache.

"I'm not about to complain at the position we're in now. We'll endeavour to keep everyone involved over the next few weeks and you will see the bench change a bit."

Ilkeston boss Nigel Jemson is expecting his usual hostile reception from the Telford fans tonight due to his prior stint at Shrewsbury, but is focussing on the game.

The Robins have won three of their last six away matches, and despite lying just below halfway at present, Jemson has high hopes of getting in amongst the promotion race.

"I'm hoping we can get in the play-offs, we've got to aim as high as we can," he declared.

"We finished sixth from bottom last year but the expectation levels at our club are very high.

"I've changed our team around from last year and it's a virtually new side. We've got eight or nine lads who are under 24 and we're doing all right.

"We're unbeaten in five games and we've kept four clean sheets on the trot, albeit three of those have been in the cup."

By Chris Hudson