GARY Bailey is hopeful of seeing Sam Buckler take his chance during his temporary spell at Christchurch.

The defender, who suffered a broken leg when featuring for Bridport at Odd Down in January 2016, has made the switch to Hurn Bridge on a temporary basis to get match minutes, having recorded his first competitive start for the Blues’ first team in December.

With Portland in impressive form in the league at present, Buckler’s first-team action has been limited and, when Christchurch expressed an interest, Bailey was happy to let the defender go out and get some game time.

Explaining the situation, Bailey told Echosport: “He has transferred but we have got an open agreement that I can transfer him back up until the transfer deadline at the end of March.

“Ollie (Cherrett, Christchurch manager) and I have an agreement that he will get some minutes with them up until that March deadline and we will then assess it and see where we are for the rest of the season.

“If we are alright squad wise and Sam is playing regularly, he may stay there and play the season out at that level.

“If I pick up injuries I will be recalling him and he will come back.”

He added: “It’s something Sam felt he needed to do, he needed to find minutes at a slightly higher level than what our reserves were offering and Ollie was in a position where he was looking to bolster his defensive options.

“It was always going to be a year of recovery for Sam and nobody knew how far he would come with that recovery.

“He has worked really hard since Christmas and got himself physically fit.

“There comes a time where he needs to be thrown in and tested at a slightly higher level.

“By allowing him the opportunity to go to Christchurch gives us the opportunity to see where he is at after his recovery.

“Fingers crossed he comes back flying and we get the Sam Buckler we all know and want.”

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