GLENN Burnett is confident that New Milton Town and AFC Bourne-mouth will reap the benefits of their continuing link-up.

Cherries work experience trio Alex Moth, Harrison Gilkes and Ryan Case are cutting their teeth in senior football with stints at Fawcett’s Field.

The Seward Stadium apprentices have all played a part in Linnets’ recent Wessex Premier revival, featuring as Burnett’s men have climbed to 17th position following a promising run of just one defeat in five matches.

Gilkes netted twice in Milton’s win over Horndean last weekend, while Moth has bagged four goals in 11 league starts.

Manager Burnett has named his three Cherries prospects in the squad for tonight’s league clash at Totton & Eling (7.45pm).

He told the Daily Echo: “I went to AFC Bournemouth with the club secretary Richie Phippard and met with Shaun Brooks and Paul Groves (Cherries’ youth team chiefs). They seemed more than happy and said we could have the three lads until the end of the season.

“I think they are pleased with their progress and how they are doing and the lads seem to be enjoying themselves at the club.

“Bournemouth are doing us a massive favour and it has certainly helped us out. We really appreciate it.

“But I also feel like we may be doing them a favour as well because it is quite a physical league for 17 or 18-year-olds and it seems to be doing them the world of good. Hopefully, it is a good thing for both of us.”

Burnett added: “Since they have been at the club, their attitude and conduct has been top class. Sometimes when players come down to this level, you don’t know what to expect. But the three AFC Bournemouth lads have been absolutely perfect.”

Skipper Darren Curtis and Paul Preston are both unavailable this evening, with Scott Chester (ankle) also ruled out.

Linnets: (from) Rowe, Davies, Stuart, Holland, Barge, Case, Gilkes, Tanner, Proctor, Baldacchino, Moth, Donaldson, Snelling, Smart.

• Out-of-form Hamworthy United could be boosted by the return of long-term injury victim Greg Horlock for their trip to Horndean tomorrow (3pm). Elsewhere, Poppies host Alresford Town.

Hammers: (from) Evans, White, Lanahan, Haysom, Lockyer, Horlock, Cannie, Stacey, Robinson, Wyatt, Whitcher, Chudy, Burbidge, Hunt, Pidgley, Wakefield, Byrom.

Poppies: (from) Vaughan, Daysh, Jackson, Byrne, Crutcher, Blake, Phillipson-Masters, Pinder, Mas, Rowley, Ewen, Warren, Ingram, Hogan, Frampton.

• Wessex Division One leaders Verwood Town will be bidding to bounce back from losing for the first time in 21 league matches when they travel to Stockbridge, while Ringwood Town entertain Amesbury Town.

Potters: (from) Lynch, Evans, Delaney, Kel-ly, Dear, Homer, Smalley, Webb, Dyer, Gajic, Haskell, Satterley, Wilson, Barnett, Anderton.

Ringwood: (from) Cousins, Osman, Pierson, Tyler, S Hole, W Hole, Yeats, Eley, Hardy, Elezi, Edwards, J Brown, Morrell, Bailey.