AFC Telford trying to keep Halifax loanees

Smith is waiting on a call from the Shaymen to decide the immediate futures of loan players Hutchison and Richard Peniket.

Both deals expired after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Gainsborough Trinity and Smith is keen to keep them.

Hutchison can only join Telford for the rest of the campaign, as he's had two loan spells already.

Curtis Tilt is due to serve a one-match ban for his sending off at the weekend for two bookable offences, while Peniket is required with Dave Hibbert still out with a hamstring injury.

But the situation is complicated by Hutchison picking up a calf injury in the game.

Halifax have won six of their last nine games – all unbeaten – so wouldn't appear to have any immediate need for either player.

Smith said: "We're trying to get Richard and 'Hutch' done so, hopefully, there should be some good news.

"Initially when we spoke last month, they didn't see any reason why it couldn't happen.

"But Hutch has hurt his calf so that's another thing. It depends on the injury because if it's too bad, we'd have to look elsewhere."

Smith is confident Tilt will only be banned for one game, saying: "We're hoping it's only one game. as it was for two yellow cards.

"I've got no argument with the first one. For the second, the ref said Curtis was too involved but his shirt was hanging off – it was ripped beyond repair and yet the other kid didn't even get yellow carded."

Meanwhile, Smith has had to think again on his plan to sign an attacking midfielder, adding: "We had a specific target, but it's looking like he's going elsewhere.

"There were a few things to sort out and we couldn't quite do the deal."