TOM Jeffes is banking on a Wessex League title to ease the pain of missing Poole Town’s epic FA Vase journey – and Poppies’ Wessex League Cup bid.

The nomadic striker, who joined Dolphins from Poppies in January, has been a key figure as Tom Killick’s side have maintained their quest for league honours in light of the hyperbole surrounding their run to the last four of the Vase.

The 24-year-old, who also boasts spells for Christchurch, Brockenhurst and Hamworthy United on his Wessex League CV, has notched six goals in 12 games since moving from Victoria Park.

But Jeffes, cup-tied after lining up for Poppies in their 2-1 Vase third round defeat at Willand Rovers, also had to watch his former Poppies team-mates sail into the final of the Wessex League Cup last week – leaving the league title as his only chance of silverware this term.

The frontman told the Echo: “It’s a shame not to be involved in the Vase. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t frustrated and I am disappointed, but when I played for Poppies in the Vase neither myself or the team were good enough that day. So, in a way, I have had my chance in the competition this year and I think that is the best way to look at it.

“I watched Poppies reach the Wessex Cup final last week so I’ve missed out on that one as well! But I knew what could happen when I signed for Poole and I’m happy.

“One of my aims was to play as high as I can and I think we have a really good chance of winning the league after beating Winchester at the weekend. If we can push on, it would be great to have Southern League football back at Poole.”

Jeffes is likely to start for Dolphins when they welcome Hayling United to Tatnam in the league tonight (7.45pm).

Killick adds Russell Cook, Paul Best, Paul Bayston and Bassiriki Diane to his squad.

Dolphins: Hutchings, Poore, Smith, Dibba, Walker, Spetch, Gill, Roberts, Skelton, Hubbard, Sturgess, Preston, Cann, Jeffes, Richardson, McCormick, Cook, Best, Bayston, Bassiriki.

• Ben Dickenson misses Christchurch’s home clash against Winchester City (7.45pm) with a shoulder injury.

Priory: Kearn, Grace, Legg, Crutchley, Brian, C Smith, Roberts, Fairbrother, Burden, Griffin, Osborne, Burt, Linpow, Rideout, Loader.

• Poppies host Alton in the league (7.45pm).

Poppies: (from) Harvell, Arnold, Taylor, Byrne, Crutcher, Blake, Rowley, Phillipson-Masters, Kemble, Rudd, Green, Hodgson, Pickett, Vaughan.

• Meanwhile, in Wessex Division One, Verwood Town travel to Amesbury.

Potters: (from) Fawcett, Richards, Murray, Dear, Lynch, Dyer, Elysee, Webb, Haskell, Aspin, Scott, Gajic, Atkins, Beverley.