POOLE Town defender Will Spetch looks set for an extended spell on the sidelines as he bids to find a cure for his long-standing knee problem.

Swanage-reared Spetch returned to the Dolphins in October following an injury-plagued seven-month stay at Conference South outfit Sutton United.

The 22-year-old, who is on non-contract terms at Tatnam, helped Poole see off Biggleswade in the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy on Saturday.

But he was substituted nine minutes from time after feeling discomfort in his knee and will now undergo a course of treatment which he hopes will repair the damaged joint.

Poole boss Tom Killick said: “There was always a bit of a question mark over Will’s fitness when he returned to us and, unfortunately, although he managed to get through most of the game on Saturday, his knee was hurting afterwards.

“He is going to be subjected to some intensive shock-wave treatment. Richard Gillespie had it last year with his heel injury and it helped him. Will is going to have the same sort of treatment but it means he will be unavailable for a period of time.

“He is having three sessions over the course of three weeks, starting on Tuesday. We would hope he might be available a fortnight after the sessions have finished so that would take us to the festive period.”

Poole are also sweating on the fitness of winger Carl Preston who limped out of Tuesday’s Southern League Cup win at AFC Totton after suffering a recurrence of a groin injury.

Killick added: “Carl has unfortunately been affected by this for a little while. We gave him some rest and he did quite a lot of work with the physio.

“But it was still affecting him against Totton so we feel there may be something more underlying with his groin problem and it needs further investigation. To have felt it straight away on his return, doesn’t bode well so we will get it looked at.”

Despite making no fewer than eight changes, Killick watched his Poole ‘pups’ breeze past Totton courtesy of a 4-1 win at the Testwood Stadium.

Teenage striker Dan Munday rifled Dolphins into the lead midway through the first half before three goals in the space of seven second-half minutes settled this second round tie in favour of the visitors.

Jake Maloney, whose loan from Portsmouth Killick hopes to extend, side-footed home following a Preston cross before Marvin Brooks headed home unopposed from a Preston corner.

Maloney then turned provider for Luke Roberts to sweep a fourth past Totton goalkeeper Steve Mowthorpe before Taylor Edwards bagged a late consolation.

Dolphins: Manley, Tallack, Martin (Richardson, 60), Jermyn, Dickson, Lowes, Maloney, Roberts, Munday, Preston (Helyar, 55), Brooks (Devlin, 57). Unused subs: Lindsay, Hutchings (g/k).