SAM Poole will give everything he has to ensure the Terras rally in their run-in and stake a claim for promotion this season.

The 22-year-old was drafted into the starting XI for the victory over Arlesey Town on Saturday, and he produced a stellar display to help his side to a clean sheet.

With fellow centre-half Calvin Brooks suspended and Gosport man Robbie Matthews returning to his parent club, Poole is hoping to be able to showcase what he can offer in a bid to nail down a regular starting spot.

He told Echosport: “With Calvin’s suspension it has probably given me an opportunity to get back into the team again.

“It was good to play on Saturday and I have played at places like Arlesey, and on similar pitches time and time again.

“It was good to be back in and to get a clean sheet, and hopefully I have staked a claim for this Saturday against Paulton.

“People might still see me as a young lad. I am only 22 but I have played more than 200 games for Weymouth now, so it’s not like I am an inexperienced player.”

Poole insists that despite the squad’s modest run of form in recent weeks they are still focused on promotion.

And for the former Terras’ skipper, a place in the Conference South would be perfect.

He added: “I work in the town and at lunchtime I sometimes get stopped and asked ‘how did Saturday go?’ and ‘what happened?’ if we don’t win.

“Everyone wants to talk about it and it would be nice if we can push on now and put a run together heading into the end of the season.

“I will give everything I have got. I love playing for Weymouth and love the club. I have been there since I was a child and I will give everything I can to make sure we get promoted.

“When it gets to the business end of the season we have normally had to fight relegation, but we are at the other end of the table now.

“We may have had a dip in form but we need to try and get back to where we were.”