Magpies: Midfielder Franklyn Clarke on a fitness mission for Boxing Day's Ridgeway derby

Clarke came off the bench for the Magpies in the 1-1 draw against St Ives on Tuesday, just more than two weeks after leaving hospital having had his appendix removed – he had originally been advised to have between four and six weeks out.

The former York City and Wimborne Town man will not be fit for today’s trip to King’s Lynn Town (3pm) and has now turned all of his focus to the Boxing Day battle.

He made himself a Magpies’ hero in the festive fixture last season, netting stunning a last-gasp leveller on his Dorchester debut in a 2-2 draw at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

Clarke told Echsoport: “I just wanted to play (against St Ives) and just see how I felt but I am not 100 per cent and I won’t be available today. I felt fine but it’s just the risk of getting a knock on it.

“They said up to six weeks out and that I might be alright after four. Four weeks is Boxing Day, so we will see for that.

“That’s the target and it would be nice to get back but I have to put my health first.

“I want to be back for it and I am working towards being back for it. Obviously it’s a game I want to play in, especially after the last Boxing Day.

“Hopefully I can keep recovering the way I am and I should be alright.”

Asked about the events which led to the surgery, Clarke replied: “It was mad. On the Wednesday night I was going to bed and I felt cramps in my stomach, I just thought I’d eaten something funny.

“All through the night it was agony.

“We had training the next day and I thought if I went training and ran about a bit I might be okay. I actually trained on the Thursday night. That’s when I knew it was bad.

“I went home, got a shower and went straight to the hospital, they told me I was going straight in for surgery. I came out on the Sunday morning.”

n A goal from Billy Mitchell meant the Magpies' reserves beat a Salisbury Development XI 1-0 away from home in the Wyvern League.