AFC Telford boss Gavin Cowan ready to make calls on up to 10 trialists

Cowan’s men strolled to a 6-0 friendly victory at Ellesmere Rangers – their first public outing of the summer – in north Shropshire on Saturday.

A number of players vying to earn a move, including a goalkeeper and one of the Bucks’ second-half goalscorers, were involved in the run-out.

Cowan said: “They're giving us a problem at the moment. We've got them in for a reason and I had a good conversation with my chairman yesterday morning. Though we've got to be realistic. They'll play against Drayton and then it's decision time for me."

"But I'm not just looking at them on match day, I'm looking at their characters at all time.

"I want good characters and good people in. Some will fall by the wayside, that's football. But we will be in talks with some of them this week to push something on with the ones that do well."

Former captain Jack Rea and forward Matthew Barnes-Homer also featured in the friendly success but Cowan added that, at this stage, they are only working on fitness.

Popular midfielder Rea, 25, ended his three-year spell with Telford in January and went on to link up with former boss Rob Smith at Hednesford Town.

Ex-Kidderminster hitman Barnes-Homer, 32, began last season at the New Bucks Head but was quickly allowed to pursue football elsewhere by then-boss Rob Edwards.

Cowan added on the ex Bucks duo: "I wouldn't call them trialists. They asked me to come in and train. I would not allow anybody to come in.

"These two are fantastic characters so they were no-brainers. They are only going to help us being here."

Telford head to Greenfields to tackle Market Drayton tomorrow evening (7.45pm kick-off) before a behind-closed-doors trialist fixture on Wednesday.

Sheridan Martinez, Stephan Morley, James McQuilkin, Andre Brown, Adam Dawson and Daniel Udoh all made their first Bucks starts since joining the club this summer.

New forward Udoh got his Bucks career off to the best start with a brace inside 18 minutes against new North West Counties First Division South outfit Ellesmere.

Fellow dubutant Dawson added a third before the break. Darryl Knights was a half-time sub alongside former Market Drayton man Joe Cuff.

Barnes-Homer made it four on the hour before a trialist lifted in a neat finish for five.

Sub Amari Morgan-Smith rounded off the rout with the game’s best goal, firing high into the top corner. Dwayne Samuels is understood not to have been involved after picking up a knock.