POOLE Town boss Tom Killick has tipped midfielder Marvin Brooks for a bright future – just days after dropping him.

Brooks was one of the Dolphins’ shining lights last season as they narrowly missed out on promotion from Division One South & West of the Southern League.

The former Royal Navy man made 42 appearances and chipped in with four goals as Poole were eventually beaten 3-1 by Gosport in the play-off final at Tatnam.

Despite Brooks’s exploits last season, Killick left him out for the home win over Cinderford and the 3-0 defeat at Shortwood, in part due to a change in formation.

But after being recalled to the starting line-up on Saturday, Brooks netted the only goal of the game as Dolphins kept on track their title ambitions with victory over North Leigh.

Killick, speaking to the Daily Echo ahead of Poole’s trip to Paulton Rovers tonight (7.45pm), said: “Marvin was the victim of a formation change after we reverted from playing three in midfield to two.

“I did tell him I felt his performances had dropped off a little from earlier in the season but that it was nothing significant.

“He is competing for a place with Steve Devlin and Glenn Howes, both good players who have played at a higher level.

“Considering Marvin came to us from local football, he has done exceptionally well. If things were to go his way, he could probably end up playing higher.”

Simon Baines is added to the Poole squad, while defender Rhys Baggridge has returned to parent club Salisbury following the end of his loan spell.

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Spetch, Clarke, Walker, Howes, Brooks, Devlin, Byerley, Preston, Charles, Kelly, Burbidge, Dibba, Richardson, S Brown, Baines.

  • Wimborne Town boss Steve Cuss admits his side will face one of their toughest tests of the campaign at Yate Town (7.45pm).

The in-form Bluebells are unbeaten in 13 Division One South & West encounters and have won eight matches on the bounce.

Cuss, who is without the suspended Jon Blake, said: “Yate are enjoying a really good run and we know this will be a tough one.

“They are the form side in this league but this is a game we can into in a positive frame of mind.”

Magpies: (from) Harvell, Case, Costello, Peprah-Annan, Blake, Sainsbury, Smith, Hubbard, Kemble, Jeffes, Moth, Webb, Brian, Roast, Maybury, Ackerman.