JASON Matthews is hoping to have a new defender in his squad for tonight’s clash at Truro City (7.45pm).

The Terras are currently down to the bare bones and remain in desperate need of cover due to injuries and suspensions.

Weymouth boss Matthews told Echosport: “We are going through a tough period at the minute and all we can do is knuckle down and get through it the best we can.

“It’s also an opportunity for people to come in and take their chance.

“I want a lot of competition for places next season and it is up to each player to put themselves at the forefront of my mind.

“Due to injuries and suspensions, we will be taking several reserves with us this evening and we are also trying to get a defender in.

“I am expecting a tough game against Truro.

“My good friend Ben Watson (ex-Magpie) plays up front for them and they also have Steve Tully (former Terra), who is another mate of mine, so I expect them to be really up for it.

"It’s a tough place to go and play, and we will need to perform well in order to get something.”

The Terras will be without Michael Walker, Jake Green, Ashley Wells, Luke Winsper, Ben Joyce and Mark Ford this evening.

Walker and Green are both suspended while Wells, Winsper, Joyce and Ford are all injured.

Ford is set to train with the reser-ves tonight and it is hoped he will be fit to make the bench on Saturday.

Matthews added: “Fordy is making good progress and we are also hoping to extend Jake’s loan stay when he returns from his three-game suspension.

“Michael is banned for just one game while Ash, Luke and Ben still need more time to get over their injuries.”

Green and Niall Thompson’s current loan deals are both set to expire this Saturday, while Nathan Walker’s loan stay at Dorchester Town has been extended by a further month.

*THE Weymouth FC Supporters Association has launched a Terras Supporters Emergency Fund in a bid to ease the strain that recent postponements have put on the club.

The Terras lost two home games to the weather just last week and their next league fixture at the Bob Lucas Stadium is not scheduled until March 1.

A statement on the club’s official website reads: “With only two home league games since Christmas, the board of directors has been keeping the club going, along with tremendous support for loan signings from the WFCSA Player Budget Fund.

“This fund enabled Jason Matthews to bring in Jake Green and Niall Thompson on loan spells with the club.

“With so little match-day income, and the postponed games likely to be played on Tuesdays, this will put a dent in the match-day income.

“We have spoken to the WFCSA and they have come up with an initiative to try to support the club over this period.

“Once the home games start to happen again, we will be okay, but if people could support the WFCSA Terras Supporters Emergency Fund it would help the club in a big way.”

To find out more about the initiative and how you can do your bit, visit the terras.co.uk/main.htm