AFC Telford boss Gavin Cowan pleased with prospect Henry Cowans

The 21-year-old midfielder has been in stellar form this season and was the man of the match as the Bucks beat Ashton United on Saturday.

Cowan puts the upturn in performances from the ex-Aston Villa youngster, who was with Telford for the majority of last term too, down to him being more disciplined.

"Henry was here last year and in terms of ability, I don't think there is any question," said the Bucks chief.

"What I've brought into his game this year is discipline.

"We're maximising his energy, because one thing he has got is energy. He really brings that to us, but we're maximising it.

"What we don't want is him running from the right-back position into the left-wing position, losing all of his shape and discipline.

"I've brought that into his game and he's had to answer to me a couple of times, when we've been doing analysis and finding himself in silly areas of the pitch.

"He's learning more and more, and he's going to be ready for a really big step up at some point of his career.

"At the moment, that energy is being channelled in the right way, instead of it being a little bit unleashed everywhere."

Cowans, the son of Villa's European Cup-winning legend Gordon Cowans, joined Telford shortly after being let go by Villa.

He had spent the term prior on loan at League Two side Stevenage, making 18 appearances.

When asked if he was initially trying too hard to impress with the Bucks, gaffer Cowan added: "I don't think so.

"Even now, you can see areas where he can tidy up. Again, he's the first one to say it, the first one to be disappointed.

"It's little tweaks now. He's young still, he's learning, and he just needs to tweak things slightly – tidy up in possession here and there.

"I don't think he was trying too hard, he was just not utilising his energy well enough.

"He was running all over the pitch but now he has certain jobs to do – he knows he can only be in certain areas. He trusts his team-mates to do the rest."