BOSS Frank Gray last night revealed he was close to signing a Premier League duo ahead of Bashley ’s FA Trophy showdown with Poole Town .

Gray is hoping to seal loan deals for the top-flight pair in time for them to make their Bash debuts in the first round qualifying clash at Tatnam .

While Gray remained tight-lipped on the identity of the targets, the Daily Echo understands the potential recruits ply their trade with Reading.

Gray told the Echo: “There is a possibility of signing a new goalkeeper and another midfielder from a Premier League club on loan.

“We are hoping to complete those deals in time for the game.”

The two teams go into tomorrow’s clash (3pm) on the back of contrasting form in their respective leagues.

Bash are second from bottom in the Southern Premier, while Dolphins are unbeaten and top of Division One South & West.

However, Poole manager Tom Killick is predicting a tight contest.

He said: “They are an established Premier Division team and have got quite a lot of experienced players.

“The fact they have started, perhaps, not as well as they would have liked is fairly irrelevant. It is a tough ask for us but we have got home advantage. They may be lacking a bit of confidence so I think it will be an even game.

“We have said previously that because of our early exit from the FA Cup, we want to stay in the Trophy.

“There is not going to be any tinkering with the personnel because we are desperate |to progress and there is significant prize money involved as well.”

There is £2,550 on offer for the victors.

Bashley will be without injured strikers Mark Gamble (ankle) and Rob Gradwell (hamstring).

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, T Brown, Emmerson, Walker, Dibba, Baines, Spetch, O’Donnell, Preston, Burbidge, Richardson, Devlin, Brooks, Kelly, S Brown, Benssaouda, Wilson, Blair.

Bash: (from) Kearn, Smith, Casey, Strickland, Middleton, Richardson, Finlay, Hill, Oliver, Stokoe, Farren, Lompato-Pires, Green, Knight, Prodomo.

  • Wimborne Town manager Steve Cuss insists the pressure will be off his men when they visit Southern Premier strugglers Banbury United.

Despite the Puritans’ poor form this term, Cuss believes Magpies will be underdogs in the Trophy clash at Spencer Stadium.

He said: “We are going to give the game our best shot. All we will be looking to do is produce a good performance.”

Wimborne could be boosted by the return of injured goalkeeper Jason Harvell as he is set to appear in the squad for the first time this season.

Magpies: (from) Ackerman, Arnold, Cole, Costello, Peprah-Annan, Blake, Gill, Hubbard, Jeffes, Davidson, Webb, Maybury, Brian, Sainsbury, Kemble, Smith, Harvell.