Injured Clarke targets quick return (From Bournemouth Echo)

Injured Clarke targets quick return

7:00am Tuesday 12th March 2013 in Non league football By Ian Wadley

STRICKEN Sam Clarke is backing Poole Town to continue their title charge in his absence as he bids to make a rapid recovery from a nasty injury.

The former Weymouth defender suffered a heavy knock to the head and neck during Dolphins’ 4-1 home win over Didcot on Saturday.

Clarke was taken to Poole Hospital by ambulance and later given the all-clear despite initial concerns over a lack of feeling in his left arm.

The 24-year-old is targeting a quick return in order to throw his weight behind Poole’s Division One South & West championship quest.

But he insists Tom Killick’s league leaders have enough quality in their squad to maintain their push when they host Sholing tonight (7.45pm).

Clarke told the Daily Echo: “I think this week is going to be a bit of a write-off. Hopefully, I will be looking at the Clevedon game next Wednesday.

“We have got plenty in the squad.”

Dorchester-based Clarke thanked his team-mates and club personnel for the way they dealt with his injury.

He added: “Taffy Richardson and Robbie Yates came on with the stretcher and people at the club helped me out by getting an ambulance sorted. There should be a lot of credit for them.”

Clarke is expected to be sidelined for at least a week and Poole also have a concern over winger Carl Preston (hamstring).

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, K Emmerson, Dibba, Spetch, Walker, Kelly, Devlin, Brooks, Preston, Charles, Cane, Byerley, Cann, Richardson, R Emmerson.

• Wimborne Town manager Steve Cuss is calling for a team effort in an attempt to halt Magpies’ drought in front of goal.

Wimborne are without a win in five league games and have failed to score in seven of their past 11 Division One South & West matches.

Speaking ahead of this evening’s away clash with Cirencester Town, boss Cuss told the Daily Echo: “It is strange for us at the moment. We are really struggling to score goals.

“At the start of the season, we were free-scoring but, maybe, there is a lack of confidence for one or two players, and a few things are going against us. We have got goals within the squad and we had three strikers in the starting XI on Saturday.

“Throughout the season, players have chipped in with goals. Right now, we need a team effort to start scoring goals.”

Micky Hubbard is suspended but Wimborne are hopeful that Adam Costello (hamstring) will be fully fit.

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

• Bashley boss Frank Gray is sweating on the fitness of Mark Gamble (foot) ahead of his team’s Southern Premier trip to Barwell.

Bash: (from) Moore, Strickland, Oliver, Finlay, Middleton, Richardson, Casey, Jenkinson, Stokoe, Gamble, Gradwell, Knight, Hill, Foster, Gazzard, Kearn.