IT'S United versus Town in the Dorset Premier League Battle of Dorchester tomorrow (kick-off 2.15).

Phil Simkin, manager of the table-topping Magpies, says he is not looking forward to his side's visit to Sandringham Sports Centre one little bit.

"I had a look at the pitch over there during the week and the surface is absolutely shocking," said Simkin. "I found a huge hole on one wing where a player could quite easily break an ankle. But I guess we will have to deal with it, do a professional job and hopefully come away with the points." Simkin's side did just that back in October when they won 1-0 at the Avenue Stadium with a close range goal from the since retired Martin Shepherd after ex-Terras goalkeeper Dan Claxton had single-handedly defied the home side with save after save.

Claxton is back for United tomorrow after several weeks out with a virus and United manager Kevin Hillier says he looked as sound as ever in training this week.

"There's no doubt Dan kept the score down when we played them last time and he'll be looking forward to doing as well tomorrow," he said. "Dorchester have pulled in some of the best players from all over the county so they're probably expected to beat us, but we will give it our best shot again."

Andy Cleal and Richard Drake are still suffering from the flu bug that swept through United's ranks a couple of weeks ago while Simkin's side will be missing Steve Gilbert and Martin Edwards through injury. Edwards' season was brought to a premature end when he broke a bone in his ankle and suffered ligament damage in the 2-0 Two Counties Cup defeat at Wimborne on Wednesday night. He expects to be in plaster for about 10 weeks.

Dorchester United: Claxton, Davis, Buddin, Kelly, Hall, J Hillier, S Churchill, R Churchill, Taylor, M Hillier, Yates, Legg, Rimmer, Beale.

Dorchester Reserves: Elsworth, Wilson, Llewelyn, Dovell, S Langrish, Legg, McDonald, Critchell, G Langrish, Turner, Blackmore, Symes, Borthwick, Williams.