JASON Matthews could be one of three faces returning from injury when Weymouth take on title favourites Poole Town at Tatnam tomorrow (3pm).

The Terras’ chief, who has been ruled out with a heel injury since November, could make his long awaited return to the starting XI after coming through training well on Tuesday.

Central defender Pat Baldwin is also hopeful of making a comeback following a problem with his hip flexor, while Matthews also revealed striker Ben Thomson “has made good progress” in recovering from a hamstring tear.

Speaking about his own injury status, the Weymouth player-manager told Echosport: “There are no real aches and strains now.”

He added: “Pat and I are near enough there really. Ben Thomson has made good progress as well this week so we could be borderline on a fully fit squad to pick from.”

Despite possessing three games in hand on runaway league leaders Poole, Weymouth are a whopping 15 points behind their Dorset counterparts already.

But Matthews, who will be without the suspended Jordan Copp, insists a positive result tomorrow would set the platform for his side’s bid to reel in Tom Killick’s men.

“It’s important that we get something out of it,” he added. “They will be the favourites, they are at home and they have taken a little bit of a hold on the league. Credit to them, they have stolen a bit of a march on the rest of the teams but they are there to be shot at.”

In the league fixture between the sides last term, Weymouth took the brunt of a 4-0 walloping at Tatnam, thanks to a second-half surge from their Dorset rivals.

Reflecting on that contest, Matthews has urged his side to keep their discipline this time round.

He said: “Going 1-0 down, we chased the game and we were the architects of our own downfall really. Poole exploited that and we are determined for them not to this time.

“We need to go out there and we have a game plan to stick to. It’s up to the players to be disciplined and stick to that plan.”

Dorset Echo

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