DORCHESTER Town must “embrace” the magnitude of their Dorset derby with Poole Town, manager Glenn Howes insists.

Having played for both clubs, Howes is fully aware of the history between the sides and anticipates a large crowd at the Avenue Stadium today (3pm).

With Poole currently occupying fifth, the fourth and final play-off spot, the Dolphins need three points to maintain their promotion aspirations.

But Dorchester are out to spoil their plans and have their own targets, including finishing higher than the 13th place achieved in 2015/16.

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Dorchester will also have their sights set on improving a poor record against Poole, who have beaten the Magpies in all of their past five matches.

With the fixture giving fans local bragging rights, Howes told Echosport: “The players need to understand that. I expect Poole understand that.

“Our young group and team are full of experience, however they need to embrace and accept it and utilise our support as much as they can for us to get over the line and play on the front foot.”

He added: “For us it’s a local derby and an opportunity to gain a huge amount of rapport with our supporters, which is a manner we’re going to focus on and strive to achieve something from that game.”

Howes is also wary of an improved Poole Town from the side that comfortably beat the ten-man Magpies 3-0 on Boxing Day.

He said: “They’ve strengthened like all good teams in this league. The longer the season goes on you have to strengthen and bring bodies in.

“They’ve done that, so I expect them to be even better than they were on that day.

“Equally, we didn’t give a great account of ourselves. We had the early dismissal and, no excuses from our part, I thought we were far too passive.

“I don’t think the previous fixture has any bearing on this game, other than you can learn from it and say how aggressive you need to be to get anything.”

Shaq Gwengwe, Callum Buckley (calf), Charlie Gunson (hamstring) and Kieran Douglas (groin) will all be assessed prior to kick-off.