Stuart Whitehead will not play again until well into the New Year

AFC Telford have ruled out signing a new defender, despite learning that skipper Stuart Whitehead's knee injury is a long-term one.

A scan has now revealed that he will be out for up to three months.

And boss Rob Smith told BBC Radio Shropshire: "It's a big blow, but I'm not looking to bring in anyone else.

"With Indy Khela in form and Jimmy Turner back from Bromsgrove, we're okay, although an injury to one of them might force my hand."

Gavin Cowan is expected to captain the side during Whitehead's long absence, which assistant boss Larry Chambers admits came as a shock.

"Initially Stuart saw various people and we really did believe it would be 14 to 21 days," said Chambers. "But another scan showed he'd torn his knee ligaments - and that means he's out for anything up to 12 weeks.

"Stuart's in a brace for six weeks straight off, and he can't start any recovery work until after then."

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