BOSS Tom Killick predicted striker Richard Gillespie would be in shape to make an “immediate impact” should he return to Poole Town later this month.

Gillespie has already indicated to Killick that he would rejoin the Dolphins next week after spending the past few months in Australia on a work placement.

The free-scoring frontman netted 15 goals in 13 starts during an injury-ravaged debut season for the Southern Premier high-fliers before he headed Down Under in May.

Killick told the Daily Echo: “We have been in touch with him and are very much hoping to reach an agreement so he returns and is available to play in the FA Trophy next week.

“He has been playing five-a-side in Australia so has been keeping himself fit. He is a modern type of player and is very fitness orientated. I wouldn’t anticipate too many problems with his fitness, albeit he would need to get some games under his belt before he was fully up to speed.

“But I think he is the sort of person who could make an immediate impact. He is a goalscorer and, the way he plays, I don’t think he would need to be 100 per cent fit before he could make an impact for us.”

Poole will be hoping to maintain their promotion push when they host Premier Division strugglers Burnham at Tatnam on Saturday (3pm).

The Blues took four points off the Dolphins last season, although Poole will be hoping to complete a double having won 3-1 in Buckinghamshire in August.

Killick added: “One of the things we need to be realistic about is that we have played a lot of home games compared with a lot of the other teams and the majority of our games have been against teams in the lower half of the table.

“I am not trying to minimise what we have done or where we are but we are very aware that there is an awful lot of work to be done to maintain our position, particularly as we are going to have a lot of away fixtures and games against teams in the higher reaches of the table.

“Burnham have had some good results and won at Hitchin in the first qualifying round FA Trophy. We were poor in our tie against North Leigh so will certainly need to be better if we are going to win.”

Keith Emmerson is again expected to be missing, although Carl Preston could return after recovering from a groin injury.

Will Spetch is in contention to start following a substitute appearance against North Leigh, although Marvin Brooks sits out due to a one-match ban. Charlie Davis has returned following his month’s loan at Dorchester.

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Tallack, Martin, Walker, Whisken, Pettefer, Burbidge, Jermyn, Brooks, Roberts, Maloney, Munday, Spetch, Dickson, Lindsay, Davis, Manley.