Telford hope to have Matty Stenson available
AFC Telford United are hopeful to have striker Matty Stenson available for Saturday’s trip to high-flying Chester.
The on-loan Solihull Moors striker limped off with what appeared a hamstring problem in the 5-0 FA Trophy humiliation against Leamington on Tuesday.
But boss Gavin Cowan hinted that Stenson may have a nerve issue rather than a muscle problem.
Frontman Stenson worked tirelessly for his side after taking a couple of knocks against the Brakes before coming off at 1-0 on 53 minutes – and 10 minutes later the Bucks were 4-0 down.
“We’re hoping it’s more nerve as opposed to muscle, so we just have to wait and see,” Cowan said of the striker’s injury.
Stenson has been a hit since checking on loan from the National League Moors in October, netting once in eight appearances but winning praise with his physical and energetic displays.
His initial loan is set to run until January 11.
Telford are expecting to have left-back Riccardo Calder available for the Chester clash, with his suspension from Tuesday night’s red card set to take seven days to kick in, in which case he will miss the Boxing Day visit of Alfreton.
National North Bucks did manage to get an hour into captain Shane Sutton on his return from injury.
Cowan said: “We would’ve preferred it in better circumstances but we’re getting all the players fit. If we can keep them that way then we might have half a chance.”
The Telford boss revealed there was illness in the camp in the build-up to their forgettable Trophy exit but did not let that excuse the limp display.
“There were bits and pieces (of illness) but not to a point where it should have affected us like that,” Cowan added.
“Certain players were a bit run down in the week, lets remember that work and do long hours away from football, but there are no excuses, we have to manage players.”
Cowan was booed by home fans for replacing forward Marcus Dinanga by Sutton in his first-half re-shuffle.
And asked about leaving attackers Ryan Barnett and Aaron Williams on the bench he added: “Barney didn’t train well enough in the week and I was thinking of the Christmas period.
“Marcus has been on fire, his attitude has been impeccable. It wasn’t a pitch for Ryan to be dribbling.
“For all of Aaron’s endeavour, and some performances have been great, we need to score goals and he hasn’t been doing that unfortunately.”
