WIMBORNE Town boss Simon Browne admitted he had been left scratching his head over Bournemouth Poppies swooping for Jon Blake.

Midfield talisman and fans' favourite Blake, who switched to Magpies from Poppies in March 2012, returned to Victoria Park this week but also remains registered at Cuthbury.

The move sees Blake, 28, follow winger Carl Preston and goalkeeper Shane Murphy through the exit as the reality of Wimborne's axed playing budget begins to bite.

A perplexed Browne attached "no blame" to Blake for stepping back into the Sydenhams Wessex League but could not hide his frustration at losing another key member of his squad.

Browne told the Daily Echo: "Jon is a good character and the sort of lad you know you will always get 100 per cent from.

"It is good of Bournemouth Poppies to help with his bills over the coming months seeing as we are not in a position to do that.

"I say that tongue in cheek because it is good that players are able to go elsewhere and get some money but you do have to question the logic behind it.

"As good as Blakey is, Poppies aren't suddenly going to turn into a top-five side with one player.

"He said if we could sort out our financial situation then he would be back next season and that he may be available to help us out when Poppies don't have a game."

Browne revealed Christchurch had served a seven-day approach for Wayne Crutcher but insisted he remained confident there would be no mass exodus to deal with.

"Are Wessex League clubs going to bend over backwards at this stage of the season to accommodate players? Probably not," he added.

"Clubs either have settled squads or are not realistically going to challenge so it won't serve any purpose for them to go, particularly if we can get things sorted out for next season."

On Crutcher, Browne said: "He said he could not play well until the back end of February because of his business commitments so I need to have a conversation with him."

Meanwhile, Browne confirmed the future of contracted duo James Stokoe and Billy Maybury would be dealt with by club officials but that they remain part of his squad as things stand.

Stokoe is suspended for tomorrow's home clash with Mangotsfield United in Southern South & West (3pm) but Browne hopes to have the loans of Portsmouth trio Brandon Joseph-Buadi, Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kaleem Haitham renewed in time.

Goalkeeper Patrick O'Flaherty, signed on a month's loan from Cherries last week, is set to play in goal.

  • Blake could debut for Poppies in their trip to third-placed AFC Portchester in the Wessex League Premier Division tomorrow.

Elsewhere, Verwood Town, who drew 0-0 at Fawley on Wednesday, host second-placed Horndean, while Brockenhurst entertain New Forest rivals Lymington at Grigg Lane. Hamworthy United travel to Team Solent.

In Division One, Ringwood host New Milton Town and Christchurch tackle Andover New Street at Hurn Bridge (all 3pm).