DORCHESTER Town boss Steve Thompson admitted he will do his homework on Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division high-fliers Slough Town ahead of the Magpies’ visit to Holloways Park tonight (7.45pm).

Slough currently sit in eighth place in the standings but have a wealth of games in hand over their immediate rivals, with as many as seven over Tiverton in the final play-off position, just six points ahead of the Rebels.

But Dorchester have displayed encouraging form against the league’s pacesetters, having picked up wins against Kettering and Tiverton, plus a draw away to Weymouth.

Thompson revealed to Echosport that such results have given him cause for optimism when the Magpies travel to Berkshire.

He said: “We’ve played Tiverton who were in the top five when we played them, we’ve played King’s Lynn who went top, we’re playing Slough now and we played Weymouth who are in the top five as well.

“We’ve had a tough old run in terms of league positions but we’ve picked up some good results.”

He added: “The work that we’ve done in training this week is the work that we’ve done. I will obviously watch footage of Slough – I do have plenty.”

With Dorchester employing a 4-4-2 formation in the second-half against King’s Lynn, Thompson will watch his material on Slough before deciding whether to continue with the Magpies’ new shape.

He said: “I’ll watch the footage and decide whether we keep to the same system or if we change it about.

“We changed it, to be fair, at King’s Lynn so if you think about that we have kept a clean sheet for a half game in the second-half and (against Redditch) but obviously found it hard to create loads.

“But there’s a lot of thinking to do, a lot of watching to do and it will be a very tough game on the 3G there.”

With winger Antonio Diaz missing from the Magpies’ squad for their 1-0 win over Redditch United on Saturday, Thompson revealed the Bournemouth loanee will again be missing against the Rebels due to FA Youth Cup commitments.

He said: “Antonio’s missing for two games because Bournemouth are playing Tottenham (tonight) and all their preparation was (on Saturday).

“I’d love him to be available but he wasn’t and it gave other players a chance. It gave Archie (Collins) a chance to come in and he took it well.

“We’ll now go into the Slough game which will be a very tough game, but Antonio’s missing.”

Striker Phil Ormrod remains a doubt with a groin problem, as does David Jerrard who continues to nurse an ankle injury.