DORCHESTER skipper Simon Mitchem admitted his ongoing problem with a side strain is “very frustrating” as he is prevented from performing with the ball for his side.

The county town all-rounder, who claimed 32 wickets in the Dorset Premier League last term, is likely to once again be reduced to just a batting role when his side make the trip to Shillingstone tomorrow (1pm).

Speaking about his injury issue, the captain told Echosport: “I thought I would be alright this weekend but I don’t know. I can’t really put a timescale on it, I keep saying two weeks but then I try and bowl at nets and it still hurts.

“Hopefully I will be able to bowl against Poole at home but I honestly don’t know to be honest, it’s just going to be a question of waiting to see.

“It’s very frustrating, especially when I was standing there watching last weekend and I couldn’t do anything about it but that’s just how it is.”

Dorchester are looking for back-to-back league wins to kick-start their season and Mitchem wants his side to be on their guard at Shillingstone.

“We are confident but we have to respectful because we don’t want to go there and get rolled over,” he added.

Will McKay, Quentin Miller, Pete Moxom and Dan Floyd are expected to come into the Dorchester line-up tomorrow.