RYAN Dovell is rated doubtful for Bridport’s Toolstation Western League Division One trip to Almondsbury UWE tomorrow (3pm).

Sharpshooter Dovell limped off during last Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Hengrove Athletic with a groin strain and was ruled out of the midweek clash with Shepton Mallet.

With Matt Moors also sidelined, boss Trevor Senior is short of attacking options and likely to employ Chris Clarke as a lone striker ahead of a packed midfield.

Skipper Darren Lock (bruised foot) is another injury concern but Senior sounded hopeful that he would declare himself fit to lead out the team against the 13th-placed Almonds.

Senior told Echosport: “Darren is extremely committed and I know he will do everything he can to be fit because that is the type of player he is.

“But Ryan is the bigger doubt. The last thing you want when you have got a strain is to come back too early and end up being out for even longer.

“We’ll have to see how he is but if he is not fit I have options to cover for him. Chris Clarke has done a good job up front and he may have to play there on his own.

“The system I have used with one man up front has been successful on a number of occasions and it’s something I will use again. It gives you solidity and away from home that is important.”

Following a brief stutter, Bridport have bounced back with four consecutive victories in all competitions, three of which have been accompanied by a clean sheet.

And Tuesday’s 1-0 triumph over Shepton Mallet – thanks to a goal with practically the last kick of the game – moved them up to third place in the table, ahead of Gillingham Town on goal difference.

Almondsbury meanwhile, have experienced mixed results this season but a draw and a win against Merthyr Town and Cadbury Heath respectively, underlines their potential.

They cruised past Devizes Town last weekend but Senior, whose side are unbeaten on their league travels, has urged his charges to ignore their opponents’ unpredictability and concentrate only on their own game.

He added: “I’ve been drumming it into the players that they should focus only on themselves and not worry about other teams. If we do that then the results should take care of themselves.

“We’ve had another good little run but those games are gone now and it’s crucial to keep winning because the two teams above us won’t drop many points.”

Bees (from): Filkins, A Symes, Condliffe, J Symes, Senior, Hayter, Bulman, Wise, C Clarke, Watts, Legg, Hill, Evans, Lock, Dovell.

* Holders Bridport Reserves entertain Okeford United in round two of the Dorset Senior Trophy tomorrow (3pm).