BOSS Steve Cuss knows selection will be key as he bids to steer Wimborne Town through a busy festive and new year period.

Magpies face three games in the next 12 days and are scheduled to play eight times in January, a state of affairs caused in part by their club-record run in the FA Trophy.

Following their exit from the cup competition at the hands of Oxford City on Saturday, Wimborne return to league action tonight when Shortwood visit Cuthbury (7.45pm).

Midfielder Jamie Davidson is in contention to return after suspen-sion but striker Mark Gamble is a doubt with an ankle injury.

George Webb played through illness against Oxford and should be fit enough for selection, while Anthony Waters could be promoted from the reserves.

Cuss told the Daily Echo: “We’ve got a lot of games coming up because of the cup run and that starts on Tuesday. Fitness is something I’ve got to consider all the time. I’ve got 17 players to pick from and if you get two or three out injured or suspended, sud-denly the squad is stretched a bit.

“We’ll look at it game by game and pick the right players going forward.

“It’s important that we’ve got ourselves in a semi-decent position in the league and it’s important that we get focused and try and pick up points.”

Magpies: (from) Harvell, Arnold, Oliver, Maybury, Costello, Blake, Griffin, Biles, Webb. Lupton, Davidson, Kemble, Gamble, Stokoe, Roast, Waters, Field.

  • Bashley’s second-round Russell-Cotes Cup clash with Gosport Borough, originally scheduled to take place tonight, has been postponed. Gosport instead face Basingstoke Town in an FA Trophy replay.
  • In the third round of the Wessex League Cup, Ringwood host Alresford (7.45pm).