Captain Alex Browne will be back to lead the Terras into the Dr Martens Premier Division battle with Hednesford Town tomorrow 3pm.
Weymouth’s stalwart defender returns to the side after recovering from a hamstring injury that has seen him miss the team’s last two outings – a 3-0 defeat at Tiverton and last Saturday’s 2-1 home success over Welling United.
Also likely to figure in tomorrow’s squad are midfielders Ian Hutchinson and Ryan Ashford who are close to fitness having overcome groin and toe problems respectively.
But that doesn’t mean the Terras injury crisis is over with Simon Browne (groin), Michael Jackson (hamstring) and Jamie Impey (toe) all rated doubtful for the journey to Keys Park.
Boss Geoff Butler said: “Alex played for the reserves on Wednesday night and came through with no reaction to his hamstring and obviously it’s a big plus having him back in the side.
“Both Hutch and Ryan were going to play in that game as well but we just felt it was possibly a bit too early for them but the likelihood is that both will play some part in tomorrow’s game.
“Unfortunately having gained three we look certain to lose another three. Michael Jackson appears to have no chance of making it in time and both Simon and Jamie must be rated as very doubtful.”
He added: “At the moment my starting 11 is a little bit up in the air and it’s going be a case of waiting to the last moment to see who I’ve got available.”
Meanwhile, Phil Andrews completes his two-match suspension tomorrow and will be back to face Dover Athletic next week.
Last weekend’s victory over Welling has put the Terras back in with a great chance of avoiding the drop into the Eastern or Western Division next season, however Butler is refusing to rest on his laurels.
He rates the Pitmen as one of the league’s most improved sides and is expecting a tough encounter in Staffordshire tomorrow.
He explained: “Hednesford are no longer a soft touch and much of that has to do with the fact that they went out and signed five players on transfer day.
“I think every club down in the bottom half of the table would have loved to be in that position to do the same.
“Hednesford have also got a fairly new manager in Chris Brindley and so the players will be out to impress him between now and the end of the season to earn contracts for next year.
“But we did ourselves a big favour against Welling. When I watched the side line-up for that game I must admit I had a good feeling and those three points gained have gone a long way towards securing our place in the Premier Division.
“But no-one is taking anything for granted. I predict we need two more wins to guarantee our survival and Hednesford would be a good place to get the first of them.”
