INJURED Magpies’ stopper Shane Murphy is on the road to recovery after suffering a groin problem against Bideford in March.

Having played through the pain for several matches the keeper is back doing light exercise having took it upon himself to sit out the rest of the season, something which has left him feeling frustrated.

Murphy told Echosport: “I was enjoying playing before the injury but when I felt I was not benefitting the team, I took the decision to step back and sort it out myself.

“I had a chat with our physio Emma and she said we could manage it and get me through the season but I felt it was right to step back.

“Realistically I’m out until the end of the season, but who knows, stranger things have happened.

“I’d like to get back into training soon because it’s not nice just to watch from the side-lines.”

Since the setback, Murphy has been to every game – home and away – supporting his team-mates and he admits it has been hard to watch the Magpies struggle in recent games.

“It’s hard for any player to sit in the stands and not impact the game. Every injured players comes and supports the team, it’s just something we should be doing,” he added.

“When we win we all feel happy and when lose, we all feel down whether you’re playing or not.

“We’re all in this together.”

With Murphy unlikely to feature again this season, his thoughts are already turning to the next campaign.

Manager Mark Jermyn is yet to talk to any of the players about the 2016-17 season, and the keeper is hopeful he will remain in Dorchester for the foreseeable future.

He explained: “Once I got the chance in goal, the aim was to see the season out in the jersey. I’d like to be in the team for next year and I hope I’ve done enough.

“None of the players have been spoken to about it but it is the manager, Nick (Crittenden) and Stu (Stuart Heath) have the final say.

“I’ve got to sit tight and hope that happens. If they decide that they want me to be here, I’ll be here and if not then it’s all left in my hands.”