AFC Ludlow manager Dave Cooper is hoping to bring former skipper Jamie Marsh back to the club in a bid to re-ignite his side’s title push.

The Bromfield Road club looked to be strolling to West Midlands League Division One honours thanks to their impressive early season form.

But with a goalless draw to lowly Wyrley following on from last week’s 2-0 defeat at home to St Martins, Cooper has made his move.

“For the second week running we’ve failed to turn up,” he said. “We managed just one shot in 90 minutes. Teams are coming to defend and we just can’t break them down at the moment – we’ve lost our mojo!

“If we’re not careful we’ll undo all the good work we’ve done. I thought it would be an advantage to get the points on the board but teams like Shifnal, St Martins and Hereford Lads Club are now winning their games and putting extra pressure on us.”

Marsh started the season at Ludlow but has been playing at Kington recently.

Cooper added: “Jamie can play left-back, sweeper or central midfield. He’s a good talker and I think that will help us at the moment.

“He captained us the two seasons when we won the league and knows the players. He joined Kington because he was unable to play every week and I didn’t think it was fair on some of the other lads. I probably shouldn’t have let him go so we’ve put seven days in on him.”

Wyrley arrived with just three league wins to their name but two of those victories were in their last three games. And Cooper said they were in a false position at the foot of the table.

“We only just beat them 3-2 at their place,” he said. “To give them credit, they defended very well and they have started to get a few players back from injury.

“But we need to be beating teams like Wyrley and if we aren’t in the mix at the end of the season it will be our own fault and because of results like this.”

Injuries could now be a problem for the Ludlow manager – he was down to the bare bones for Tuesday’s TJ Vickers Premier Cup semi-final clash with Market Drayton Town.

Jamie Hammonds picked up a knee injury that could keep him out for the rest of the season while the return of midfielder Rob Vass lasted just 15 minutes before he suffered a groin injury.

On Saturday, Ludlow head to mid-table FC Stafford.