MANAGER Steve Cuss is appealing to the Wimborne Town faithful to turn out in force when the Magpies host table-topping Merthyr Town at Cuthbury tomorrow (3pm).

Wimborne started the season with a 1-1 draw at the Martyrs’ Penydarren Park, the south Wales outfit currently six points clear at the top of Division One South & West.

And although Wimborne suffered a midweek defeat to Southern League rivals Shortwood United, Cuss is still pleased with his side’s level of performance.

“A game against Merthyr is always an attractive fixture,” he told the club website. “We got a point there on the opening day and that helped set up our season.

“Despite us losing to Shortwood, I could not fault our performance and, if we can match that or even build on it, we could be in for an entertaining game.”

The Magpies have injury concerns ahead of the encounter with Ian Oliver and Jamie Davidson both major doubts, while Mark Gamble is also set to be assessed.

On the plus side, Jon Blake and Paul Roast are set to return, while Magpies under-21 player Anthony Waters, who made his first-team debut as a second-half substitute against Shortwood, looks likely to retain his place.

Magpies: (from) Harvell, Arnold, Oliver, Roast, Maybury, Costello, Lupton, Blake, Waters, Griffin, Davidson, Webb, Gamble, Kemble, Stokoe, Brimson, Biles, Field.