Ben deal on ice (From Dorset Echo)

Ben deal on ice

8:52am Friday 21st August 2009 in Club News By Adam Summers

WEYMOUTH’S hopes of drafting in Ben Joyce ahead of tomorrow’s game against Worcester City at the Wessex Stadium (3pm) have hit the buffers.

A deal for the striker, right, has been agreed with Torquay United but Gulls’ boss Paul Buckle cannot let the 19-year-old make the move until he has brought in adequate cover.

Hale is determined to strengthen his squad further following Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Maidenhead United and he is also in talks with Exeter City regarding another possible acquisition.

He said: “The loan deal for Ben will probably not happen now until next week.

“I am also talking with Exeter regarding another player and hopefully that one will go through in time for tomorrow but we shall just have to wait and see.

“If we do bring people in then we will have to let others go to make room in the budget for them.”

With Joe Arnold sidelined due to a thigh injury, Jake Reid and Matt Cooper are likely to continue up front for the Terras, who are also expected to hand home debuts to David Obaze and Chris Allen.

Hale added: “Everyone who played on Tuesday should be fit. Chris and David will both be in the squad again but Joe is still out injured.

“Against Maidenhead we were well organised and the work-rate was fantastic. However, we need to prove that we can play like that consistently so I will be expecting a similar display tomorrow.

“It would be particularly pleasing to get a good result in front of our own fans and prove to them that we are good enough and can be competitive enough.”

Weymouth are currently 20th in Blue Square South, one point above Worcester, who sit bottom of the pile.