AIRBUS UK player-boss Gareth Owen says Craig Jones may live to regret walking out on the Wingmakers.

The 19-year-old stunned Owen last weekend when he quit the Broughton club to join WPL rivals Aberystwyth.

Winger Jones was Airbus's top-scorer last season and was touted as one of the players of the year by Ken McKenna, manager of champions The New Saints, who visit the Airfield tonight (7.30) in the opening match of the campaign.

That made Jones one of the Welsh top flight's hot properties - but Owen thought he had convinced him to stay.

However, that was until Aber, who finished eight places above Airbus last time out, came calling.

Owen said: 'It came as a shock. I felt all along that Craig would stay with us but unfortunately that's the way it is. He's gone to Aber, but we're not going to cry over spilt milk because we've got lads who will want to come in and fill his boots, and who will fill his boots.

'I thanked Craig for the two years he spent here and wished him all the best, but I was shocked though. He's a local lad, he works in Asda in Queensferry, and it's a long way he's going to have to travel. I just hope two months down the line he doesn't regret it.

'I will be on the end of the phone for him, and it would be great if we could see him here again in the future. But we've just got the get on with it, and the lads will do that.'

Jones' departure means Owen may have to rethink the 4-4-2 formation he stuck to last season.

However, the boss says he was planning to shake things up anyway.

Owen said: 'I think we became a bit predictable last season. We were out-and-out 4-4-2, so in the summer we've been working on different systems. We've played with a sweeper, and with someone sitting in front of the back four. We want to be able to change it around at the drop of a hat.'

Steve Futcher (calf) should be fit for tonight's clash, while the Wingmakers chief also revealed he is close to signing two players.

* Airbus entertain neighbours Connah's Quay Nomads on Wednesday night (7.30pm) in Group B of the new-look Loosemores Challenge Cup.