AFC Telford United manager Rob Smith fears he will have just 12 fit players available to face Chester FC on Saturday (3pm).

The Bucks, bottom of the National League North with two wins from 20 games, have a host of injury concerns going into the FA Trophy first round tie.

Smith cancelled training on Wednesday and Thursday in favour of a friendly with Market Drayton Town, which saw Izak Reid, ex-Blues midfielder Sean Clancy, Mike Grogan and Ryan Rowe given run outs.

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"With the injuries we have and the fact that some players are cup-tied and not allowed to play, we are down to the absolute minimum on Saturday," Smith told the Shropshire Star.

"We’d love to progress, but we could be going into it with 12 fit players. We’ve got to be realistic, but we’ll give it a go and whatever side we put out - we’ll be asking to win."

Mike Grogan, seen here tackling John Rooney last season, will be hoping to feature for Telford this weekend
Mike Grogan, seen here tackling John Rooney last season, will be hoping to feature for Telford this weekend

Smith admitted he was considering rushing back players for Chester's visit to New Bucks Head.

Left-back Darren Campion, who has been sidelined with shoulder and knee injuries, could return and Dwayne Samuels, out with a groin problem since early November, is rated as 50-50 but winger Reid is not likely to be risked.

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Smith said: "Camps is still injured and I don’t think he’ll be ready for Saturday, but he might have to be involved.

"Izak is probably ahead of where we thought originally. I didn’t expect to see him playing this side of Christmas. But they’re still in rehab from their injuries and will have to build up fitness."

"There are plenty of them that haven’t played much football. You have the likes of Greg Wilkinson and Mike Grogan, who haven’t been involved.

"Eddie Toner has just joined and Ryan Rowe hasn’t had much time."

Telford lost 1-0 at Curzon Ashton last time out and have recorded two wins from eight games, both against FC United of Manchester in the league and then the previous round of the FA Trophy.