ASSISTANT James Wood admits title-chasers Poole Town have missed the presence of banned boss Tom Killick on matchdays.

Killick is currently four games into a six-match stadium ban having been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association.

The manager will serve his fifth game out when Dolphins host Cambridge City tomorrow (3pm) and right-hand man Wood says Killick’s absence has left a significant void.

Wood told the Daily Echo: “We’ve missed Tom. He’s one of the best managers I’ve had the privilege of working with and is a very calming influence who gets his point across very well to the players.

“Tom is the focal point of everything we do at Poole. It starts with him and filters down through myself and the staff and on to the players.

“We can’t wait to have him back.”

City have won once in nine attempts against the Southern Premier’s top five in league matches this season and currently sit 15th in the standings.

However, Wood insisted that Cambridge’s modest position would not provide an accurate indicator of their performance to come.

He said: “We’ve had some of our harder games against teams in the bottom half of the table.

“Some of the loan lads have asked me, ‘where are these in the table?’ and when I tell them a team is struggling, they say they are better than half the sides we’ve played. League positions really do go out of the window.

“Historically, Cambridge have been strong and one of the better sides in the league so we will have to be at our best.

“The good thing is we will be getting bodies back and will pretty much be at full strength.”

Carl Pettefer is expected to be in contention after he had no reaction to his groin problem in Tuesday’s 2-0 win at Arlesey.

Marvin Brooks is available following suspension while Richard Gillespie is set to return to the fold.

Wood added: “We have to be careful with Richard. He played two games on the spin for us before Arlesey and absolutely worked his socks off.

“He’s an experienced player who knows his body better than anyone. If he doesn’t feel 100 per cent and can feel a little bit of tightness in his hamstring or calf then the best thing is just to rest him.

“His goals are going to be so valuable for us and I’m sure he’ll be raring to go on Saturday.”

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Tallack, Lindsay, Walker, Whisken, Emmerson, Davis, Burbidge, Devlin, Gillespie, Quigley, Walsh, Roberts, Spetch, Lowes, Brooks, Pettefer, Yates.