Zak Lilly to get AFC Telford chance during pre-season

Former Thomas Telford pupil Lilly is back with the Bucks after not playing a game for the club last term.

The 19-year-old was sent out to Rushall Olympic but his loan was marred by injuries before his intended season-long stay was cut short, and was at Romulus in the second half of the campaign.

Being contracted for another year, Cowan insists winger Lilly will very much be involved during pre-season.

“Zak is still young and he’s a player with a lot of potential,” said the Bucks chief.

“I want him in and around the rest of the squad for pre-season, to be with us for training and matches.

“If he rips it up in pre-season, really does well, it’s a no-brainer – he’ll be involved with us from the start of the season. He hasn’t played a lot of football, though. He had a couple of injuries last year when he went out on loan.

“Maybe he’ll go back out on loan for a few months, get some minutes, and then be back with us around Christmas time. We’ll see.”

Ex-England Schoolboys star Lilly broke into the Telford team towards the end of the 2016/17 campaign, following a hip injury which cost him months of action, under Rob Smith.

He made 10 appearances in National League North, catching the eye with his strength and work rate, and has also had loan spells away from the Bucks at Sutton Coldfield Town and Leamington.

Cowan feels Lilly has the qualities to play in a more defensive role and added: “He’s still contracted, we’ve had conversations and we all like him.

“We think he can do well, and I think he could maybe do a job in another position for us.

“He just needs to get some experience and earn the right to play at this level so hopefully he can go out and do that.”