REPRIEVED striker Rico Wilson could be forced to wait even longer for his Dorchester Town comeback.

Wilson has only recently been released from prison, after serving seven months for an assault charge, but an ankle injury is likely to keep him sidelined until Christmas.

The Magpies revealed in the summer they would stick by the 21-year-old and manager Phil Simkin has been impressed with the remorseful forward’s attempts to rehabilitate himself.

He said: “Rico was at the ground last Thursday but he has a problem.

“He has got a bit of floating bone in his ankle and has a scan booked in for next week, so he might need surgery. We might not see him in action until Christmas.

“He is very keen to come down and do some work at the ground. It’s very hard not to like him and he is making a real effort.

“There is no way he wants to go back to prison and fair play to him as he is making a real effort to sort his life out. We will do our best to help him.”

Meanwhile, Simkin remains on the trail of two potential new signings but admits any business is unlikely to occur until after Sunday’s FA Cup tie with Plymouth Argyle.

He added: “There is no news yet but progress is being made. I don’t expect anything to happen until next week though. Neither player would be eligible to play on Sunday and to be honest all our efforts are focused on that game at this moment in time.”

Sunday’s visit of the Npower League Two Pilgrims is sure to be a momentous occasion with the Magpies appearing live on television – ESPN (4.30pm) – for the very first time.

Tickets for the main stand have already sold out and so far it is believed that 2,500 tickets have been purchased, although that figure is expected to rise today following the confirmation of Plymouth’s uptake.

* Don't miss Echosport's FA Cup pull-out on Saturday.