DORCHESTER face losing Shaun Little for up to eight weeks after it was confirmed he fractured his foot in two places against Sherborne last Saturday.

Little suffered the injury when he turned to come back for a second run while batting during his side’s Dorset Premier League defeat.

The county town team also lost Little’s fellow bowler James Dunham to a dislocated thumb later in the game.

However, captain Simon Mitchem is hoping Dunham will be available to play in tomorrow’s encounter with Poole at Dorchester Rec (1pm).

Reigning champions Poole have won three of their first four fixtures this season and go into this weekend’s match as favourites given Dorchester’s indifferent start to the campaign.

“It doesn’t get much tougher than Poole,” said Mitchem. “We know this is going to be a hard game for us.

“We haven’t got Shaun and might not have James, but we’ve still got a good side.

“It’s just frustrating that for a big game like this we haven’t got everyone available.”

Mitchem was a forlorn figure after the bad luck that befell his charges at Sherborne.

Had it not been for the injuries to Little and Dunham, Mitchem reckons Dorchester would have had a great chance of winning.

He added: “It was very pleasing to score 247 as it set us up with a great chance of winning. And we still had a half chance with 10 players, but with nine, and both of the lads we lost being bowlers, we didn’t have much hope.

“We hung in there though and did well to take them to the 47th over, but we can’t afford to have injuries like that again.”

Dorchester Seconds must also bounce back from a defeat last weekend when they go to Wimborne & Colehill Thirds in County Division Three.

Stuart Beasley’s men were beaten by Beaminster on home turf last time out, while tomorrow’s opponents cruised to an eight-wicket victory against Wareham.

Meanwhile, also in the Premier League, Martinstown, who have enjoyed a promising start to life in the top tier, host Stalbridge at Lower Ashton Farm (1pm).

Parley were too good for Stalbridge last Saturday as Ed Nichols’ Martinstown overpowered Swanage at Days Park.

A big test awaits Martinstown Seconds in Division Five in the shape of leaders Charlton Down, who head the table by one point from Shaftesbury.