MANAGER Simon Browne has admitted defender Sam Clarke’s Wimborne Town future is “up in the air”.

New recruit Clarke had been included in Magpies’ squad for Saturday’s trip to Cinderford Town before pulling out late on due to personal reasons.

And ahead of tonight’s home clash with AFC Totton (7.45pm), Browne hopes to clarify the former Poole Town man’s future soon as soon as possible.

Browne told the Daily Echo: “Sam was named in the squad on Saturday but unfortunately he didn’t make the game.

“He has a couple of personal issues which have come to the fore and we need to get to the bottom of that just to make sure he is okay to play for us.

“He is a Wimborne player but it is a little bit up in the air until we sort out these personal issues, and then we will be good to go.”

Ex-Weymouth frontrunner Mark Ford is in contention to make his Wimborne debut against Totton but winger Jamie Davidson is suspended.

Ant Waters is a doubt due to the knee injury he picked up against Cinderford. Jack Lupton, who has been injured since the start of the season, could be called upon following his recent return to training.

Meanwhile, striker Mark Gamble is not due to feature against former club Wimborne due to a gentlemen’s agreement between Magpies and Totton.

Gamble is thought to be on the brink of a switch to Testwood Stadium after his Cuthbury contract was terminated.

The frontman has only just returned to fitness having displaced two bones in his foot and sustained ankle ligament damage in October.

Magpies: (from) Murphy, Randall, Johnson, Maybury, Blake, Kellaway, Murray, Old, Stokoe, Waters, Turner, Preston, O’Hare, Ford, Clarke, Lupton.