JASON Matthews is confident of keeping hold of Luke Burbidge despite interest from Poole Town.

The Dolphins want the winger to return to Tatnam and have put in a seven-day approach for his services.

Burbidge left Poole for Weymouth last August following a lengthy transfer saga which saw the 21-year-old reconsider his options several times.

However, Matthews believes Burbidge is happily settled now and sees him as a big part of the club’s future.

The Weymouth player-boss told Echosport: “Poole have put in a seven-day notice of approach for Luke Burbidge but I am hoping he will stay.

“He has told me he is really happy here and the last thing I want to do is lose him.

“He has been playing with a lot of confidence lately and I have been really impressed with him, particularly since I took over.”

Matthews has added another attacking option to his squad this week in Niall Thompson.

The Torquay United winger has joined the Terras on a month’s loan and his electric pace will no doubt give the Southern Premier Division outfit a different dimension.

Matthews, whose side are scheduled to travel to Chippenham Town today (3pm), said: “Niall will certainly give me another option and I am delighted to have him on board. “I have had very good reports about him from Torquay but he needs games and we will try and give them to him.

“He is very quick and likes to take people on, so he should prove a very exciting addition.”

Thompson, 20, signed his first professional contract with the Gulls at the start of the 2012-13 campaign after coming through the club’s youth system.

He has since made 21 appearances for the Devon outfit and also enjoyed a short spell on loan at Worcester City.

Thompson’s arrival and the extension of Jake Green’s loan stay have been made possible thanks to the Weymouth FC Supporters Association’s Player Budget Fund.

The initiative was launched before Christmas and immediately boosted by a donation from the Wessex Fantasy Football, who passed on their outstanding balance, which was a superb gesture.

Since then the fund has raised almost £3,000 with more fans making donations as the weeks go by.

A WFCSA statement reads: “The fact the fund has already raised almost £3,000 is absolutely brilliant and it shows how much the fans believe in helping our club, which is approaching its 125th anniversary.

“The Player Budget Fund will only be used to help Jason Matthews strengthen his squad and we will make any money raised available to be prudently spent.

“We would like to say ‘welcome’ to both Jake and Niall and we hope you enjoy your time playing for the Terras.”

Commenting further on the fund, Matthews added: “I would like to say a big thank you to the supporters association and the fans for what they continue to contribute.

“Everyone in and around the club are really pulling together and we seem to be moving in the right direction.

“From my own point of view, this is a massive help and I will be sure to use it to bring the right people into the club.”

To make a donation to the fund please call into the club shop on match-days to pick up a form, or send a cheque to the club made payable to WFCSA.