Josh O'Keefe relishing AFC Telford challenge

The Kidderminster Harriers midfielder is primed for a return to regular football and is poised to make his Bucks debut in the Non-League Day home clash against Dover Athletic.

Former Southport player O'Keefe, who has recovered from a foot injury, was hauled in by Liam Watson – his former boss at the Sandgrounders – to bolster Telford's midfield with Godfrey Poku suspended for the next three games.

The newly-promoted Bucks are gunning for their first win of the Conference Premier season.

"It's the first time I've been on loan," said O'Keefe. "It's exciting; you've got to look at it that way.

"It's a challenge and I'm looking forward to it. I've been injured in pre-season and haven't played at Kidderminster. The boys have been winning games so it's been tough to get back in.

"I've been training for a couple of weeks. Liam got in touch and offered me the chance to get some games at Telford.

"I'm all for it, particularly as I know him as a manager, and I'm excited to start.

"Everyone as a player wants to play and do their best. If this (on loan) is the way I've got to do it, I'll just do as well as I can for Telford and see what happens at the end of the month."

Harriers swooped for the 25-year-old in January. He left Hereford United after 15 goals in 51 league appearances.

"I'm a box-to-box midfielder, and hopefully I'll add some goals to that as well," said O'Keefe.

"First and foremost, though, is getting the win – and hopefully that will happen tomorrow.

"The first win is always massive. It breeds momentum.

"However you win at the moment doesn't matter; it's just about getting the three points."

He added: "Home support always helps the team. With the right result, this can be a platform.

"Hopefully a few more will come through the door with it being Non-League Day. I can't wait for the game."

Telford are second from bottom in the Conference Premier table, winless with two draws and four defeats to their name.

Dover are just above the relegation zone on four points, with last month's 2-1 home win over Eastleigh their only success.

In their last away game, Chris Kinnear's men were beaten 6-1 at Woking.

And O'Keefe has the inside line on Dover's last match – when they were beaten 1-0 at home by Kidderminster last weekend.

"I know how they play and passed some information on to the gaffer," he said.

"There was little in the game to be honest. Dover didn't seem to threaten until the last 20 minutes when they threw everything at it.

"They sat back really and played a bit of long ball.

"It could have been more convincing for Kidderminster, but we got the win and we were happy with that."