BOSS Tom Killick says he will turn to the loan market if Poole Town’s fixture backlog takes a heavy toll on his promotion-chasing squad.

Dolphins’ FA Cup run and recent postponements have left them playing catch-up in the race for the Premier Division title and a place in Conference South next term.

High-flying Poole have between five and seven games in hand on the four teams above them and they are 19 points behind leaders Hemel Hempstead Town, who have played six more matches than the Dorset outfit.

A hectic schedule will see Killick’s men tackle no fewer than 26 league matches in the final four months of the season, starting at Biggleswade tonight (7.45pm).

And while he is confident his squad can cope with up to four absentees at any given time, Killick admits any major injury issues could lead to him exploring the option of temporary deals.

Killick, who recently drafted in Cherries keeper Benji Buchel on loan, told the Daily Echo: “Injuries will dictate. The squad, as it is, can cope with two, three or four injuries but if it got to the point where it was above that or at the top end of that, then I think I would look to the loan market.

“We did it with Benji and he was brilliant against Weymouth. It is certainly something we have got in mind but it is a question of seeing how things develop.”

Winger Jon Davies could be available for the trip to Biggleswade after overcoming hamstring problems.

“Technically, he has been given the all-clear but bearing in mind the issues we have had with him, we might be a little bit cautious,” said Killick. “To be fair to young Ekow Elliott, he came on early in the game against Weymouth as a replacement for Davo and he did very well. I think he deserves to play.”

Neil Martin is suspended, Richard Gillespie is injured and Sam Clarke is doubtful.

Dolphins: (from) Buchel, Dibba, Whisken, Spetch, Emmerson, Preston, Brooks, Devlin, Richardson, Pettefer, Elliott, Davies, Cann, Charles, Byerley, Davis, Lowes.

  • In the Wessex Premier, Hamworthy United host Christchurch. Elsewhere, Poppies visit Whitchurch.