Danny Reynolds stakes a claim at AFC Telford
Striker Danny Reynolds has been told he's set the standard to stake a claim for AFC Telford United's first-team.
The 19-year-old striker was the stand-out performer in a highly encouraging second-half team performance in Tuesday's 0-0 draw against National League North champions Solihull Moors.
Reynolds missed a chance in the first half and was denied by keeper Danny Lewis from another, but set up openings for Dave Hibbert and Micah Evans after the break.
And he caught the eye with his tenacity, workrate and vision, popping up on either wing in a 4-3-3 formation.
Manager Rob Smith said: "He was excellent and he's a real prospect. It's down to him.
"If he performs like that, he's going to stake a claim for a shirt but he's got to do that regularly and he'll be judged on his goals as well.
"So the players will pick themselves. But he's set his standard now and he's got to go and do it again."
Smith was delighted with the way the former Wrexham youngster worked Moors' defence.
The Bucks boss said: "We've asked Danny to be a bit more physical and get stuck in and, in the second-half, he put himself about.
"There's a long way to go for him but he put in a good second-half performance."
Meanwhile, summer signing James Hurst is due to undergo an operation on his groin next Tuesday and faces a four-week lay-off.
The former Portsmouth and West Brom man can play in a number of positions and had a spell on loan at Shrewsbury Town.
He's been struggling with the problem since sealing his move to the New Bucks Head.
Smith said: "He's hoping to have it on Tuesday. We've got to sort out the finances for it so, hopefully, it will be done then.
"He'll be out for four weeks but then he'll need a bit of match time as well. He's probably the biggest signing we've made so it's disappointing, but it's nothing serious.
"We'll have everyone else available at the start of the season, so when he's back might come at a good time for us."