Hearn claims double deal for Terras' duo is done (From Dorset Echo)

Hearn claims double deal for Terras' duo is done

8:48am Tuesday 31st January 2012 in Club News By Adam Summers & Ky Capel

BOSS Alan Knight firmly believes that Sam Malsom and Stephen Reed would inject fresh impetus into the Magpies’ bid to reach the Blue Square Bet South play-offs.

Dorchester Town chairman Shaun Hearn announced yesterday that “it is a done deal with both players, subject to them signing on the dotted line” but Weymouth are still fighting to keep hold of Reed.

The Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division outfit have already conceded defeat in terms of Malsom, who is set to put pen-to-paper at the Avenue Stadium this evening, but they claim Reed told them last Friday night he was staying – a statement the 26-year-old contradicted the following day when he told Echosport that talks were still ongoing.

Malsom and Reed’s potential arrivals in the county town would certainly give the club a huge lift at a crucial period in the season, particularly following the departures of key men Steve Devlin and Ben Dickenson over the past fortnight.

Knight, whose side sit just three points off the top five, told Echosport: “Sam can play in a variety of roles, including up top. We’ve been quite short up front after losing Ryan Moss before Christmas and then Ben Dickenson, but Sam will give us plenty of options.

“Reedy can also play in various positions, both on the left and in the middle.

“They are still young lads but they are also experienced players at the same time, especially Reedy.

“I’m looking forward to having them in the squad and hopefully they will show everyone what good players they are.

“We’ve got 13 games left and we want to push on in those 13 games, but we’re also looking to next season as well.

“We haven’t got the biggest squad in the world and I don’t want players getting complacent. Hopefully Sam and Reedy will give us options.

“They are good players and they will freshen up the squad a bit.”

Meanwhile, the outlook is not quite so bright the other side of the Ridgeway where the Terras are beginning to look very thin on the ground.

With Reed and Malsom potentially on their way, Byron Napper’s loan deal having expired and Lewis Tasker (injured) and Tom Manley (work commitments) unable to travel, Brendon King’s options are looking extremely limited ahead of tonight’s trip to Stourbridge (7.45pm).

The Terras are hoping to tie up a loan move for AFC Totton midfielder James Coutts in time for him to feature at the War Memorial Athletic Ground but there are fears the relevant paperwork will not be processed in time.

King, whose side have lost their last four in all competitions, in which they have conceded 15 and scored just one, said: “Fingers crossed the paperwork will get done.

“We have been lacking a bit of quality in the final third of late and hopefully Couttsy can bring something to the table in that regard. We just need that goal to give us some confidence.

“Stourbridge are a good side and it promises to be another very tough game.”

The cold snap which is sweeping the country at present has put this evening’s game under threat.

For the latest updates visit dorsetecho.co.uk/sport

Terras: Jordan, Povall, Gerring, Poole, Jeannin, Dixon, Tribe, Clarke, Duff, Reed, Coutts, Marshallsay, McKechnie, Groves, Byerley.