NICK Crittenden admits he was oblivious to Rico Wilson’s criminal dealings and has urged his former team-mate to change his ways.

The latter was sentenced to seven months in prison for a string of offences, including possession of a class B drug and breach of a suspended sentence relating to an ABH charge.

As a result, the 20-year-old has been sacked by the Magpies, just two months after earning a permanent contract at the club.

Crittenden was disappointed to hear of Wilson’s illegal activities and hopes the former Yeovil Town man will learn from his mistakes.

He said: “Speaking to Rico he always seemed a nice enough lad with a lot of ability.

“I don’t want to make too many comments on what has happened because I don’t know enough about it but it’s certainly disappointing.

“It shows that even at this level of football you have to be responsible and stay out of trouble as you are representing the club.

“If the club does give him another chance then he needs to keep his head down and stay out of trouble. I’m sure he’ll have time now to think about it all and realise he was given a great chance.”

Meanwhile, Crittenden was last night due to step up his recovery from a hamstring injury.

And providing the 32-year-old comes through the training session unscathed, he is hopeful of being included in the match-day squad for Saturday’s home clash with Brom-ley.

The winger, who has missed the last three games, added: “Hopefully I will be able to declare myself fit for Saturday. If not then perhaps Tuesday’s game with Dartford.

“However, the worst thing I can do is come back too early because if I pull my hamstring again I would be back to square one, or possibly worse.

“It’s never nice being injured, especially when games are coming thick and fast and when you’re playing well.

“It’s a critical time of the season but fortunately the lads have been different class in recent games.”

The Magpies are currently four games unbeaten in Blue Square Bet South and Crittenden believes they are slowly returning to the form that propelled them into mid-table security prior to the festive period.

He said: “Before Christmas we felt invincible but then we lost 1-0 at Weston-super-Mare on New Year’s Day and it’s taken us a month to get back on track.

“We’re not quite back to where we were but we’re going in the right direction.

“Chris Flood has helped us turn the corner and signing him permanently is a massive boost.”

* Further drugs charges against Wilson have been adjourned until next month.

Wilson, of Stone Gardens, Bournemouth, will appear before Bournemouth magistrates on March 3 charged with possessing cocaine and class C drugs in Bournemouth on September 23 last year.

* Dorchester’s trip to Woking has been re-arranged for Tuesday, April 5 (7.45pm).

* Dorchester Town Supporters Trust will be running a 17-seat minibus to the Magpies’ game at Farnborough on February 26.

The cost of the trip is £12 for Trust members and £14 for non-members.

Pick-up points are from The Station pub car park (11.55am) and Dorchester Town FC car park (midday).

Under-16s are entitled to free entry at the game itself.

For more information, or to book your place on the minibus, email dan@magpiestrust.co.uk or see any Trust board member.