Rob Edwards challenge as Connor Johnson extends AFC Telford stay
Boss Rob Edwards has urged young defender Connor Johnson to ‘step it up again’ for AFC Telford United after extending his loan from Wolves.
The 19-year-old centre-half will remain with the Bucks until the end of the month after his previous loan expired earlier this week.
“He’ll be playing on Saturday, against Curzon Ashton, and he’ll be with us until the end of January,” said Edwards. “We weren’t going to stand in his way if something else came up but he was keen to stay as he’s been enjoying it here.
“It’s a great experience for him, having different tests – one week against a team that likes to play and the next having a real physical challenge.
“What he needs to do now is step it up again. He will admit that over the last few games his levels haven’t been quite where they can be.
“We’ve been very happy with him and he’s looking to get back to the very high standards he set himself.”
As well as the extension of Johnson’s loan, the club hoping to tie up a deal for Molineux goalkeeper Jack Ruddy until the end of the season.
But Aaron Simpson has returned to Molineux and fellow loanee Aaron Hayden, who is due to be with the Bucks until the end of the campaign, could follow suit.
Hayden has found game time hard to come by in recent weeks and Edwards admits he may also be sent back to then secure a loan move elsewhere.
“We’ve had a discussion with both of them and if something else is there for them, they may be allowed to move on,” said Edwards before Simpson’s departure was confirmed.
“They haven’t been playing regularly and I don’t want to stand in the way of any young player.
“It may be something where one or both of them are allowed to move on.”
On tomorrow’s visitors Curzon Ashton, who Telford lost 1-0 to earlier in the season, Edwards added: “They have a set way of playing and they stick to it, fair play to them.
“It was a really tight game up there and one we didn’t really deserve to lose, I thought a draw would’ve been fair. To win one, draw two and lose one of our last four league games, that’s not too bad.
“We know this is an important game, though, to get back to winning ways and regain momentum.”
Meanwhile, the Bucks’ scheduled National North clash at Spennymoor on Tuesday has been postponed.
