AFC Telford's Curtis Strong vows there is plenty more to come from him and the team

The 21-year-old, who spent the whole of last season nursing a severe knee injury, was signed by the Bucks this summer and has featured as a substitute for them in National League North so far.

A former Stoke City youngster who has also played for Tamworth, he is very grateful to be back out on the pitch under Rob Edwards – as a left wing-back.

“It was such a long, hard year – rehab every day,” said Strong.

“I am just thankful that surgery went really well, and I am really thankful to the club for giving me a chance.

“I have been eased back in, not too much too soon, and now I am looking to start repaying the club’s faith in me.

“There’s a lot more to come from me and playing as a wing-back suits me down to a tee.

“I like to get forward as a left-back so being at wing-back gives me more licence to help out when we are attacking.”

Strong had a lively showing after coming on from the bench as Telford lost 1-0 at Curzon Ashton on Monday.

That was the Bucks’ third straight league defeat – following on from a 3-1 loss to Brackley Town and a 2-0 loss to Salford City.

“Even though results aren’t going our way, the key is to keep believing in the philosophy,” said Strong.

“The performances are there and the lads are working so hard in training.

“You cannot fault anyone for their work rate, we are putting the effort in.

“It’s still early doors. Of course, we would like to be winning every game but it just hasn’t been falling for us.

“We have just got to carry on believing in ourselves. We know it will come.”

Next up for Telford is a trip to Blackwell Meadows on Saturday to face Darlington.

Strong expects a tough test against the Quakers and added: “It’s the story of the season – there has been a massive rise in the standard at this level and clubs are paying good money.

“We will have hard games every week but we are really, really good team.”