Tiredness may force changes for Dorchester (From Dorset Echo)

Tiredness may force changes for Dorchester

8:05am Tuesday 5th March 2013 in Sport By David Williams, Sports Reporter

TIRED bodies are a major concern for Phil Simkin ahead of tonight’s six-hour round trip to face Eastbourne Borough (7.45pm).

The Magpies’ manager is likely to rest Jamie Gleeson for the Blue Square Bet South clash having substituted the midfielder in the second half at Bromley.

Simkin does hope to have captain Mark Jermyn back following his recovery from an operation to fix a broken nose last Friday while Kieffer Moore’s fitness will be examined before kick-off.

And some wheeling and dealing in the loan market could see Dorch-ester bring in goalkeeping cover for Jason Matthews after on-loan Ben-jamin Büchel’s serious knee injury on Saturday.

Because of swelling, a scan of Büchel’s knee has yet to take place but it is thought he is unlikely to play again this season.

As far as tonight is concerned, the fatigue in the squad may force Simkin to make some changes from the side that lost in Kent at the weekend but even that is proving tricky.

“When you haven’t got so many cards you can only shuffle your pack so many times,” he said.

“Some of the players looked tired at Bromley and now we have to go to Eastbourne which is difficult when you’ve got a small squad.

“It was always going to happen but it’s good that we’ve got some results of late and the play-offs are a big ask now. We will give it our best shot and whatever happens it has been a memorable season.

“But when it gets to the stage where Jamie Gleeson is tired you know players are tired.

“I decided to take him off in the second half on Saturday because he had run himself into the ground and we’ll look to give him a rest tonight.”

On the goalkeeping situation and the possible return of Jermyn, he added: “I’ve made one or two calls about a keeper so we’re possibly making some progress in time for another long journey tonight.

“Hopefully Jem will be back. He was under general anaesthetic after his operation on Friday so there was no way he was going to play on Saturday.

“I’m hoping he will be okay to play. I always feel more comfortable when he is on the pitch. Harry Bell came in and acquitted himself very well against Bromley but we do miss Jem when he’s not there.”

The Magpies scored two late goals to beat Eastbourne on the opening day of the season and Simkin is expecting them to go all out for revenge this time.

Eastbourne lost 1-0 to Eastleigh on Saturday and they sit precariously in 18th place, two points above the drop-zone. Dorchester are eighth, six points off the play-offs.

Magpies (from): Matthews, Bell, Smeeton, Pugh, N Walker, Nicholls, Malsom, Watson, Clough, Martin, Jermyn, Crittenden, Morgan, S Walker, Moore.