Marcus left on the sidelines

9:07am Wednesday 16th July 2008

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WEYMOUTH midfielder Marcus Browning will not be in action again tonight, as he has not yet signed a players' contract.

The 37-year-old, whose coaching deal does not expire for another two years, is in dispute with the club and will remain a mere onlooker from the dugout until an agreement can be sought.

Last Friday the Terras began their pre-season campaign with a 4-0 win at Portland United but this evening they face a much tougher test in the form of Coca-Cola League One side Bristol Rovers at the Wessex Stadium (7.30pm).

For Browning it will be another frustrating night on the sidelines but he is determined to remain professional over the situation.

He said: "I do not know what to say. I have not signed my playing contract yet and at the moment there is a bit of a dispute money-wise. As long as that situation remains I will not be playing and will just carry on my role as coach."

Browning suffered badly from a niggling Achilles injury at the end of last season that saw him spend extended spells on the sidelines but now he says that is behind him.

He added: "I want to play and I am fit and raring to go but talks have more or less come to a halt.

"After the season finished it took a whole month before we sat down and had discussions about it and I was not happy about that. I have been in the game for 20 years and for it to take that long was very disappointing.

"They wanted me to take a wage cut in my playing money for whatever reason and I cannot see why they need to do that especially if I am performing like everyone else.

"Last season I got paid to coach and play. And no matter what I get paid for coaching that should not affect my playing wage.

"What they have offered playing-wise is ridiculous but there is no friction and although it is not an ideal scenario, I will continue to get my head down and work hard.

"I have two more years left on my coaching deal and I am professional enough to get on with the job and see where it leads."

Browning was handed a player-coach role at the Wessex Stadium last summer and during the 2007-08 campaign he made 26 outings, scoring one goal.

Meanwhile, manager John Hollins has reported a clean bill of health ahead of tonight's meeting with Rovers. Keeper Danny Knowles and defender Lewis Ironside sat out last week's game at Portland but both players are now back in contention. Adam Bygrave is also fit despite coming off in that match nursing a blow to the face.

Hollins said: "Lewis is running a bit more now, Danny is okay after having a slight tweak last week and Adam has had no problems at all so everybody is fit.

"Some of the youngsters will also be involved again but Chris McPhee won't be here until Friday, which is when he will begin training.

"Rovers are bringing a strong squad and will want to keep the ball for fun. But these are the types of teams we want to play against because believe me next season's Conference is going to be a tough league."

Rovers are expected to include summer signings Darryl Duffy and Jeff Hughes in their squad this evening.

Terras (from): Knowles, Horsell, Beale, Doe, Bygrave, Gaia, Sand-with, Mawer, Ironside, Frampton, Tribe, Biles, Robinson, Williams, Coutts, Webb, Cutler, Reiffer, Dubois, Beavon, Agera.