POOLE Town boss Tom Killick challenged his team to step up in the "lion's den" at Salisbury tomorrow.

The Dolphins manager urged his players to take off the shackles after a disappointing defeat to Hartley Wintney on Saturday.

Killick will again be absent from the dugout as he continues to serve a touchline suspension (7.45pm).

After losing to one of the teams promoted to Southern League South last season, he expected a challenging contest at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium.

Killick told the Daily Echo: "Salisbury are a different kettle of fish to Hartley Wintney, no disrespect to them.

"Salisbury are a very big club with a large infrastructure, facilities, support, finance. They will have an expectation to try and get out of this league again, with an expectation to be in the top three or four.

"They have a very experienced manager and a strong squad of players. We are going to be away from home, probably in front of a thousand quite vociferous supporters.

"I think sometimes it is what you need. We need to go there into the lion's den and see what we can produce."

Poole claimed a win at Salisbury last season in the second qualifying round FA Cup, just months after Killick had been involved in a war of words with Whites boss Steve Claridge.

Killick stressed he had "no axe to grind" with the former Cherries and Portsmouth striker.

Assessing his side's chances, Killick said: "We believe we are capable of going to any ground in this league and winning. That applies against Salisbury as well.

"It doesn't mean it is going to be easy, it is going to be very difficult to achieve, but we believe we can do it.

"We believe, despite Saturday and despite what a lot of people will be saying and thinking, we can compete with the best teams in the league and we need to start proving it.

"We want to be one of the strongest sides in the league and they will feel the same.

"We need to go out all guns blazing. I think we were a little inept in the first half and played within ourselves on Saturday. Against Salisbury, we need to really have a go at the game and play without fear and tension and see where it takes us.

"The FA Cup match was proceeded by a little bit of a verbal exchange surrounding Marvin Brooks going to Salisbury.

"I think it added to the mix, but I was assistant manager at Salisbury for a couple of years. I have some fond memories of the club, in particular working with one of the best people I have ever worked with in Nick Holmes.

"I certainly have no issues with Salisbury Football Club. I think there will always be a bit of local rivalry."

Jack Dickson was expected to miss the trip after being substituted on Saturday, but Killick hoped Brooks would be available for selection.