MARK Jermyn believes player movement both to and from clubs over the next six weeks will be a clear indication of how the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division will shape up.

But the Magpies’ chief is more than happy with the settled squad he has assembled, and is backing them to push on in the second half of the campaign.

Dorchester, who trained on Saturday having not had a weekend fixture, return to match action when they visit Kettering Town this evening (7.45pm) the side directly above them in the league standings.

A win over the Poppies would take the county town side to within a point of the play-off places and move them ahead of Weymouth.

Looking ahead to the rest of the campaign as a whole, Jermyn told Echosport: “Within the next six weeks you will certainly start seeing clubs go for it with a couple of bits of movement in players coming and going.

“That will send out a message to other teams and show their intentions of where they want to finish.

“That goes from top to bottom really. When people start realising that they are safe, clubs pull the plug and get rid of players, alternatively, those that want to finish high start recruiting.

“That’s something we have to be aware of in knowing who is going where, that way we can make adjustments for games as well. It’s another thing to keep an eye out for.”

Asked whether there could be any comings or goings at the Avenue, he added: “Not at all, we are extremely happy with the squad that we have put together. Everybody has got to compete for a place to play now.

“I think when you look at where we are at the midway point in the season you have to give credit to the players.

“We have had some iffy results but so has everybody, it is very competitive at the moment and very open.

“We are not putting ourselves in contention for the title race, certainly not, but we can certainly look at the edges of the play-offs.

“We have a couple of niggles and things like that but I believe in the second half of the season we are going to be stronger.”

Asked whether there was an added motivation in knowing a win tonight would take his troops above the Terras, Jermyn added: “I know the bragging rights will be at the end of the season with who finishes above the other.

“At the moment, I am not really interested in Weymouth anymore. At the moment they have got their own ship to sort out.

“Obviously results haven’t been going for them but they will be there or thereabouts, they have too many good players.

“We are just concentrating on ourselves and if we go above them then great but we are not really interested in anybody else.”