Defensive dilemma for Simkin (From Dorset Echo)

Defensive dilemma for Simkin

9:40am Monday 31st December 2012 in Sport By David Williams, Sports Reporter

PHIL Simkin will be forced into making a double change at centre-half when the Magpies face Truro City at the Avenue tomorrow (3pm).

Regular pair Arran Pugh and Charlie Clough are both out through suspension so Simkin is expected pick two from captain Nathan Walker, Mark Jermyn and Harry Bell to fill the void.

The Dorchester boss, speaking to Echosport after Saturday’s away fixture at Bath City was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch – the Magpies’ third game to fall to the weather in eight days – also confirmed Jake Gosling is almost definitely out of the match with flu.

FA Cup hero Gosling called in sick on Saturday and so would not have been involved at Bath even if the game had gone ahead.

As for the situation at the back, Simkin could be tempted to go with Walker and Jermyn after the duo played alongside each other in defence last season.

The good news for Simkin is that Pugh, who has been waiting to serve a one-match ban for being dismissed against Sutton United on December 8, and Clough, red-carded at Wimborne Town in the Dorset Senior Cup, will both be back for the visit of Hayes & Yeading on Saturday.

“It’s an unfortunate situation but it’s just one of those things,” said the Magpies’ chief. “Hopefully Harry Bell will come back into the squad and Nathan and Mark played at centre-half all last season.

“It’s not ideal when you can’t have what you would consider to be your best team on the pitch.

“Jake has got flu and wouldn’t have played against Bath anyway and I can’t see him being involved on Saturday but that’s the way it is.”