JASON Matthews has bolstered his midfield ahead of Saturday's daunting clash at Hemel Hempstead Town (3pm) by signing Exeter City youngster Jacob Jagger Cane.

The attacking midfielder, 19, has penned a month’s loan deal ahead of the trip to the leaders.

With Scott Walker and Adam Kelly both sidelined through injury and George Rigg set to turn out for Weston-super-Mare, the Weymouth boss was struggling for options in that area for what is likely to be his side’s biggest test of the season.
 

The Tudors currently sit eight points clear at the summit of the Calor Southern Premier Division and have won 14 of their 15 league matches on home turf so far this season.

They are also the league’s highest scorers with an incredible 104 goals from just 33 games.

Commenting on the trip to Vauxhall Road, player-manager Matthews told Echosport: “It’s going to be a massive test on Saturday and I’m delighted to have Jacob on board.

“Hemel won 1-0 against Poole Town on Wednesday night and, for me, they are the champions-elect.

“They are certainly the best team we have played this season and I am looking forward to pitting our wits against them and seeing what our young side can do.”

Hemel beat the Terras 3-0 back in September but it would have been a lot more had it not been for Matthews’ heroics between the posts.

The experienced stopper added: “Hemel played really well that day and unfortunately we failed to match them.

“Hopefully we can make amends for that and go there on Saurday and do a job.

“One thing is for sure, we are going to need to approach it in the right way, and fight and scrap for every ball in order to come away with something.”

Walker and Kelly are both out for at least two weeks but Ashley Wells and Ben Joyce should be fit after coming through the defeat to Chesham on Tuesday night unscathed.

Matthews added: “We will go there and put 100 per cent into it, and give it our best shot.”

Ben Mackey is likely to be Hemel’s main danger man tomorrow.

The talented striker has netted 30 goals in 33 appearances in all competitions so far this season.

Terras (from): Matthews, Poole, M Walker, Hutchings, McConnell, Wells, Cane, Green, Holland, Colwell, Winsper, Zima, Powell, Joyce, Yetton