Jack Downing not yet ready for AFC Telford first team
Gavin Cowan has warned AFC Telford United fans not to expect promising striker Jack Downing to make his senior debut just yet.
Teenager Downing recently penned first-team terms and has been training with Cowan’s squad.
But the plan is to keep him out at Stourport Swifts, where he has been impressing under a dual-registration deal. He scored a hat-trick for them last weekend against Sporting Khalsa in the Midland Premier – three tiers below the Bucks – taking his tally to 11 for the season.
But Cowan said: “He’s developing well, but he’s not ready for us yet.
“He’s a long way away yet from being first-team ready.
“He needs to brush up on a few areas, but he’s one for the future, hopefully, for us.”
Downing played a key role in Telford’s run to the first round of the FA Youth Cup earlier this season.
They beat Boldmere St Michaels, Evesham United, Stourbridge and Rugby Town before bowing out with a 5-1 defeat at Scunthorpe.
That run prompted the club to look into the possibility of starting an under-23s team – an option which is still being explored.
On Downing, Cowan added: “He’s got potential so, hopefully, the stars align and he can be a good player for us.”
