MANAGER Ken Vaughan is praying for some positive news on the injury front in the build-up to Bournemouth Poppies’ survival showdown at Fawley.

Vaughan’s hopes of a slick display against second-bottom Oilers, who sit seven points behind Poppies in the relegation zone, could be hampered by injury and unavailability.

Top scorer Martin Warren (groin) is unlikely to recover in time for Saturday’s clash (3pm), joining fellow striker Connor Phillips and defender Sam Pearce (ankle) on the sidelines.

Goalkeeper Kenny Vaughan Jnr (groin) faces a late fitness test while Scott Costello and Gareth Owens, two Bournemouth university students, may miss out due to commitments related to their studies.

Vaughan told the Daily Echo: “Fawley is a tough enough place to go with a full squad and they are not the sort of team you want to play without everyone there.

“The game at our place was a tight affair and no doubt they will be a tough nut to crack again. They always work hard for each other and the fact they are scrapping for survival like us makes it all the more difficult.

“It is not ideal but the most important thing is to make sure we play well because when you’re up against a team around you in the table every point is precious.

“We can’t take anything for granted because if we lose two games we’re quickly back where we started. We just have to get on with it and, hopefully, we can go there, put a shift in and get through it.”

Elsewhere, Micky Hubbard could feature Hamworthy United after his transfer was completed ahead of the trip to Folland Sports.

Verwood Town have a seven-day approach in for Lymington’s former Bashley and Christchurch striker Carl Foster. Veteran Geoff Sim stands in for suspended keeper Chris Lynch for the Potters at Bemerton Heath.

Christchurch have a full squad available for their home clash with Lymington Town, while in Wessex One, Ringwood Town travel to Team Solent and New Milton Town visit US Portsmouth (all 3pm).