BRIDPORT chief Adam Fricker is hopeful that Ed Butcher’s return from injury can boost the Bees going forward and help them get out of their dismal run of form.

Butcher made his comeback from an ankle ligament injury in the Bees’ 4-3 defeat at Cribbs on Wednesday – their ninth loss in a row.

But Fricker is hopeful the talented youngster’s influence can have a positive impact on their current slump going forward.

Asked about Butcher’s return, he told Echosport: “I don’t want to put too much pressure on him because Ed is still a young lad and learning his trade – this is still his first season in the Western Premier.

“But I can’t argue the fact that he is massive for us and for the lads.

“The lads saw he was about to come on and it does give the whole team a lift. It also makes the opposition team think ‘oh, what have we go here’.”

He added: “I have spoken to him and he seems fine. We will be looking to start him on Saturday (at home to Cadbury Heath) with one eye on Sherborne on Tuesday as well.”

On the defeat at Cribbs, in which Braeden Symes, Dan Peach and Mark Salter found the net for the Bees, Fricker added: “We are just gifting teams chances and opportunities and getting punished for everything.

“I think all four goals could have been avoided. I don’t know if it’s lack of confidence of concentration.”

Bees: Hutchings, Regan, Hayter, Martin, Condliffe, Bailey, Peach, Rutter (Andrews 69), Latas, Symes (Butcher 57), Salter. Sub not used: Hill