WEYMOUTH defender Ashley Vickers is set to sign a new one-year deal and will feature for Weymouth tonight when they take on Coca-Cola League One side AFC Bournemouth in their first pre-season friendly at the Wessex Stadium (7.30pm).

Terras' boss Jason Tindall, who left the Cherries last August where he spent six years as a player, is hoping to field several debutants as well as a couple of trialists in the clash and he expects it to be a "very good work-out."

He said: "Everyone is looking forward to it. The lads have been working hard for a couple of weeks now and it will be good to get into the games.

"I have got a few trialists who will be having a run-out and I have also got a couple of players with niggling injuries who I am not likely to risk.

"One of those is Jefferson Louis but the other new lads should all play so there will be quite a few making their debuts like Kyle Critchell, Jonathan Stewart, Scott Doe and Paolo Vernazza.

"Marcus Browning will feature and is obviously looking forward to it having been at Bournemouth for a while and Ashley will also play so we are expecting it to be a very good work-out."

This summer the Cherries have added several new players to their squad including ex-Celtic midfielder Paul Telfer, former Brentford striker Jo Kuffour and ex-Luton Town defender Russell Perrett.

So Tindall is under no illusions about the strength of his side's opponents. He added: "Bournemouth are a strong, footballing side but we have a lot of good players ourselves and are looking forward to the test.

"They have made some good signings and I am expecting them to bring a very strong squad. Jo Kuffour was wanted by several clubs, and they have also got Garreth O'Connor back on loan who is someone I know very well, so it is not going to be easy but that is what we need."

Tindall is also hoping for a good crowd at the game. He said: "Hopefully people will turn out because I think the lads deserve it especially those who have stuck by the club but also the new boys.

"We are attracting some very good players here and it would be good for the fans to see what we are about as a team."

Meanwhile Bournemouth boss Kevin Bond is expecting a tough game at the Wessex Stadium.

He said: "Weymouth will present our first real test of pre-season and I'm sure they will want to do well against us - we know a few of their players very well and I'd imagine that they will be wanting to impress against us.

"It should certainly be a competitive game and it's what we need as we start to step things up a little bit."

Bond will weigh up more trialists this week - with the new intake headed by former Arsenal youngster Ryan Garry.

The 23-year-old former Gunners' central defender - who can also operate on the left flank - was at the club's Canford School training ground yesterday after his summer release from the Emirates Stadium.

And Bond is hopeful that the defender will take his opportunity to earn himself a contract.

It seems likely that Neil Young (ankle), Warren Cummings (knee) and Shaun Cooper (back) will not be risked after picking up minor niggles.