BOSS Tom Killick is hoping to welcome back Harrison Gilkes to the Poole Town fold – but knows he could lose the flying winger at any time.

Gilkes, who could be in contention for Saturday’s visit of St Neots to Tatnam, has been handed an opportunity to impress with Crawley as he seeks a return to the pro ranks.

The 20-year-old has been training with the League One outfit, whose first-team coach is former Cherries manager Paul Groves, Gilkes’s youth boss at Dean Court.

However, Gilkes, who joined Poole following his release by Cherries in December, sustained an ankle injury while training with the Red Devils earlier this month.

Gilkes, the son of Reading legend Michael Gilkes, has netted once in seven appearances for Poole and is on non-contract terms with the Dolphins.

Killick told the Daily Echo: “We are hoping he will be back tomorrow. He turned his ankle about three weeks ago.

“Crawley had a change of manager so he was starting from scratch but then picked up the injury. I would imagine he might return to full-time training there but, as far as I am aware, there is nothing imminent there.

"It helps him and us on two fronts. Harrison gets to keep himself as fit and sharp as possible while he looks to find a professional club, either now or in the summer.

“It is good for him to be training full-time. He was looking electric for us before he got injured and that was a big blow. He has been unplayable at times so I am desperate to get him back as quickly as possible and, if that ties in with him training full-time then that can only help us.”

Gilkes would be a welcome addition to the Poole squad as they look to avenge their first Southern League defeat of the season by St Neots in October.

Meanwhile, Cherries youngster Luke Holmes has extended into a second month his work experience with Wimborne. Holmes is expected to feature when the Magpies host Division One South & West rivals Cinderford Town.

Wimborne have doubts over the fitness of Jamie Davidson, Jon Blake and Jack Lupton, while Mark Gamble should have recovered from his bout of tonsillitis.