O'Brien ruled out

10:31am Friday 15th August 2008

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TEAM captain Roy O'Brien will not be fit for tomorrow's Blue Square South clash with St Albans and could be out for up to a month.

The defender twisted his ankle in Tuesday night's 0-0 draw with Basingstoke Town, and manager Shaun Brooks has urged O'Brien's replacement, whoever it may be, to seize their opportunity at the Jewson Stadium (3pm).

He said: "Roy's out for two to four weeks as he's sprained ankle ligaments. Nothing's cracked or broken so I suppose, given our luck so far with injuries, it's as good as it gets with Roy's injury.

"We've got Gary Bowles, Nathan Peprah-Annan and Michael Walker who can all cover Roy's position so it's up to them to take their chance and stake a claim for the jersey.

"After Saturday's game there are two matches over the August Bank Holiday weekend to look forward to and all the players in the squad are needed, it's just that some have been needed sooner rather than later."

Jamie Gleeson meanwhile, is doubtful for tomorrow's fixture due to a knee injury. Brooks, also without Mark Jermyn and Ivan Forbes, added: "We'll have a look at Jamie but he's been diagnosed with bruised cartilage. He's seen a specialist who gave him the diagnosis and a programme to follow. If he's not involved on Saturday he'll be fit the following weekend."

Dorchester experienced a mixed bag against the Saints last season, beating them 3-0 at Clarence Park but suffering a 3-0 reverse at home in January.

St Albans are yet to win this campaign having drawn with Havant & Waterlooville and lost to Worcester City.

Of tomorrow's opponents, Brooks said: "I've seen St Albans play once or twice and they're a decent, lively outfit who have improved on last season.

"Size-wise they're not too great but they do like to play football and I know their manager Steve Castle well because we played together at Leyton Orient.

"We've been solid at the back so far and we want to build on the four points we have got because we need to win our home games."

Following Tuesday's stalemate, Brooks was keen to see his side become more clinical in front of goal. And he is confident his strikers will come good.

He added: "Looking back on Tuesday we probably created the better chances. Jamie Mudge and Ryan Moss had a couple of opportunities, as did Kevin Hill, and then there was the disallowed goal. If we continue to create chances I'm sure Jamie and Ryan will start putting them away."