MANAGER Tom Killick admitted he had surprised himself by dropping defensive linchpin Jamie Whisken – but promised Poole Town’s captain a swift return.

The ex-Cherries youngster started all bar one of the Tatnam club’s matches in the league, play-offs and FA competitions up to the end of last season having signed from AFC Totton in the summer of 2013.

Whisken missed September’s trip to King’s Lynn through suspension and picked up another one-match ban that ruled him out of the 3-0 home victory over St Neots 10 days ago.

That consummate performance prompted Killick to stick with Will Spetch and Michael Walker at centre-half as Dolphins recorded a 7-0 thumping of Histon.

But while Killick felt obliged stand by a winning side, the boss assured Whisken he will play in Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash against Leamington with Walker the latest to serve a ban.

Killick told the Daily Echo: “This is the strongest group of defenders I have ever had. Jamie was unfortunate to get suspended and that coincided with two very good performances.

“It’s very difficult to retain credibility as a manager if you make changes when people have played so well but it has taken me by surprise because I didn’t anticipate doing that with someone of his calibre.

“He is the club captain with a strong character and while he has been disappointed, he has taken it very well. He understood it was the right thing to do and he will come back on Saturday.”

Killick confirmed he will again shuffle his pack for tonight’s home Dorset Senior Cup clash with Western League outfit Sherborne Town (7.45pm), throwing down the gauntlet to his young guns to follow the example set by wonderkid Jack Dickson.

“It is another opportunity for some of the very talented under-18 and under-21 players to shine. We feel we have the best young players in the area and need to give them opportunities but there is a balancing act between that and making sure you’re as strong as you can be.

“Jack Dickson has been brilliant. He has become a regular in the starting XI having only just turned 19, that’s what we want and his recent form should be the level all of our young players should aspire to.”

Whisken will not be risked ahead of the weekend. Long-term injury-victim Jamie Gleeson is set to play but hopes that Richard Gillespie could follow suit appear to have been dashed.

Killick is keen to take another look at Christchurch striker Luke Stone, who scored in Poole’s Red Insure Cup victory at Dorchester in October.