PHIL Simkin is convinced Richard Jackson will remain at Hamworthy United - despite an approach by Wessex Premier Division leaders Poole Town.

Dolphins boss Tom Killick lodged a seven-day notice of approach for the Hammers wide man and is now understood to have made contact with a view to Jackson making the move to Tatnam.

But Simkin insisted he would be surprised if Jackson left the County Ground for Hammers' arch rivals.

Simkin, whose side travel to Western League strugglers Barnstaple in the FA Vase first round tomorrow (3pm), told the Echo last night: "I've spoken to Jacko and he's not indicated to me that he wants to leave. He trained on Tuesday and I expect him to train tonight.

"I would be very surprised if he left the club. At his age you want to play and he's probably looked at the situation there and wondered if he would get in the side.

"I don't want him to leave and nobody at the club wants him to leave. He's very popular and he's improving all the time - he's a really good player at this level."

Simkin was also critical of the timing of Killick's approach, which came just days before Hammers' defeat to Basingstoke in the FA Cup on Saturday.

He added: "I felt it was a bit of an unsettling tactic and I've never known a league like this one for that kind of thing.

"It seems like an approach to make mischief but I don't do that kind of thing. I think it's a bit amateurish."

Previewing Hammers' trip to Devon, Simkin said: "It's a bigger game for us than last Saturday. The FA Cup run was great for us and great for the supporters but it's over.

"It's a really important game for us tomorrow. We went to Radstock from that league and won in the cup and we're confident we can get a result of some sort at Barnstaple.

"If we have to bring them back then we have to bring them back.

"The league table shows them struggling but then our table shows us struggling because we haven't played any games so they might think the same.

"All Western League clubs, especially on their own grounds, are hard. They're well organised and physically strong so you know you are going to get a game."

Simkin is without goalkeeper Martin Peters for tomorrow's tie, so former Swanage Town & Herston stopper Wayne Robbins is pencilled in for his United debut between the sticks. Lee Thomas is still sidelined, while Rich McCabe is suspended.

Hamworthy Utd: (from) Robbins, Yelland, Gilbert, Cherrett, Walker, Crow, Dancer, Dovell, Jackson, Cannie, Byerley, Claremont, Glavin, Norris, Griffiths, Seal.