PHIL Simkin has confirmed that Dorchester Town skipper Nathan Walker will be back to face his former club Weymouth at the Bob Lucas Stadium today (3pm).

The Magpies head over the Ridgeway to face local rivals Weymouth following a 4-1 loss at Biggleswade Town on Saturday, a match Walker missed due to personal reasons.

Walker’s absence from the Dorchester defence was noticeable with Magpies’ manager Simkin describing his side’s defending as “naive” at times.

However, Walker returns to the side for today’s mouth-watering clash against the Terras, dubbed ‘El Jurassico’ by some fans.

Ex-Terra Ben Joyce will also come back into the side to face his former employees but only if the hamstring injury victim passes a pre-match fitness test.

Summer signing Will Agbo came off during the defeat in Bedford-shire with an Achilles problem, though he should be fit for the first derby of the season.

Despite Dorchester going into the fixture on the back of successive reverses, Simkin is looking forward to today’s game.

“The result on Saturday wasn’t the best way to prepare for the derby, but we want to play again as quickly as possible,” he said.

“We will be looking to lick our wounds and go again today.

“The fact of the matter is that Weymouth are far, far removed from us in regards to resources and all we can do is go down there and give it our best shot.

“It’s one game on one day and we will do whatever we can to get something from it.

“I enjoy local derbies. I look forward to the games and playing in front of a big crowd.

“Local derbies always have that extra spice to them and this one will be the same.”

He added: “Nathan Walker was away for personal reasons on Saturday but will be okay for today.

“Ben Joyce has got a good chance. He will have a fitness test before the game and if he is anywhere near he will start.

“We’ve missed him terribly, no two ways about it.

“Will Agbo had a little knock on his Achilles at Biggleswade but should be okay.”