Futures of AFC Telford trio remain unclear

Rea, the longest-serving player remaining in Rob Smith's Bucks squad having joined from Bradford Park Avenue in January 2015, could see his two-and-a-half year stint with the club come to an end.

The 24-year-old made the most appearances of any Telford midfielder last term, clocking up 33 National League North appearances all-told, and has been a mainstay since arriving as former boss Steve Kittrick's first signing.

But according to Bucks assistant Larry Chambers, Telford face competition in securing Manchester-based Rea and fellow midfielder Jones, who arrived from Solihull Moors in January.

Jones, 25, caught the eye early on in his New Bucks Head spell, netting twice from midfield. Both have had discussions with the club's management.

While Telford are waiting to hold talks with ex-Wrexham middle man Royle, who originally moved to the Bucks on loan from Southport before arriving on a permanent deal last December, as he is currently on holiday.

Twenty-year-old Kieran Dunbar, formerly of Birmingham and Fleetwood, has already checked in to add competition to the midfield positions this summer.

He is described by Smith as able to play in defensive midfield or as a more offensive box-to-box player.

Dunbar is one of five new faces acquired by Smith and Chambers so far this summer, alongside Shane Sutton, John Marsden, Curtis Strong and Jasbir Singh.

Chambers revealed Telford are hopeful of sealing one or two new faces towards the latter stage of the coming week.

"It's been a hard slog so far and I can see it continuing," he said.

"We've met a lot of players and there are still players to meet with. It's tough because teams are after the same players."

Smith's assistant has been pleased with the positive response from supporters to the new additions, with the management duo desperate for a successful recruitment drive to ensure the Bucks aren't embroiled in a third successive relegation slog.

"It's (the response) good," he added. "I've been on record a number of times saying that the fans have been absolutely brilliant since Rob and I returned to the club.

"They've been brilliant in very difficult circumstances and they've been as frustrated as us with everything that has happened."