AFC Fylde boosted as Nick Haughton returns to training

Saturday's visit to AFC Telford United may come too early for the forward, who has been sidelined with a hamstring problem, but it’s a massive boost for the Coasters that their star player from the early weeks of the National League North campaign will soon be back in contention.

Fylde followed a tricky December, which saw them take only one point from three league games, with a resounding 4-0 Mill Farm victory over Chorley last weekend, lifting the Coasters back into the top four.

And it was no coincidence that their return to form also saw midfielder David Perkins and striker Jordan Hulme back in the side.

Fylde boss Chadwick told The Gazette: “At any level, if you are missing three or four of your starting 11 players you will notice that. It was important to get Perks and Jordan back.

“We said before Christmas that we weren’t far away from having everyone fit and well, and we are almost there now.

“With the exception of Max Johnstone (the keeper is still recovering from knee injury), we’ve had everyone in training this week.”

The extra bodies will be most welcome in a busy month. Having played only three league fixtures in December, Fylde have seven this month, including matches on the next two Tuesdays.

Chadwick added: “We want the fixtures coming thick and fast. We welcome that off the back of a good performance last weekend against Chorley.

“You want to be playing regularly when you have a pretty clean bill of health in the squad, which we have now.”

Fylde head to Telford tomorrow looking to improve their away record. Fylde won their opening league game on the road at Gateshead but have only claimed two points from five games on their travels since.

Consistency is the key for Chadwick, who said: “We played well last weekend and it was important that we gave a good performance, having not quite been our usual selves on Boxing Day (when Chorley beat them 3-1 at Victory Park).

“That can happen over Christmas but we look forward to a consistent run of performances this month.

“I think we have been quite consistent at home but it’s getting that consistency away that we’re looking for, starting this weekend.”

Tomorrow’s Shropshire hosts are struggling for form, having taken only one point from their last four league games.

Last month saw Telford score 10 against Coleshill in the FA Trophy, then bow out to Darlington on penalties.

Chadwick will take nothing for granted, adding: “Telford use the ball well and look to play. Their performances have been better than their results lately.

“It will be a good test for us and we’ve found that most teams in this league offer some sort of threat, be that in or out of possession.

“Every game provides a challenge and Telford will be no different.”