SHANE Traynor predicts Hamworthy United prospect Nick Swann is set for bigger and better things – with Dorchester leading the queue for his services.

The 18-year-old midfielder has spent the past two seasons working under the Hammers boss, who initially recruited Swann for the reserves in the summer of 2014.

On the back of 16 first-team outings this season, the ex-Cherries youngster spent time training with Dorchester and Traynor insists it is only a matter of time before Swann is catching the eye at a higher level.

Traynor told the Daily Echo: “Nick is a special player. I can see why teams like Dorchester are interested because he is very comfortable on the ball.

“He has been going there for a few sessions because people have started to notice him and it is not just Dorchester, he has two or three teams looking at him.

“If he is given an opportunity, I think he could step up but he is the sort of lad who needs to be playing regularly for confidence.

“He will make mistakes, any player of that age will but he has the ability to learn and adapt. Personally, I give it another season before he is playing regularly at a higher level.”

Meanwhile, United will look to end a miserable April on a high when they host bottom club Folland Sports in their Wessex Premier finale tomorrow (3pm).

Hammers have lost all eight of their Premier Division fixtures this month and a ninth could leave them in their lowest finishing position since entering the league in 2004.

On the run, Traynor added: “Of course, you do start to question yourself but I believe in our philosophy.

“We have not been able to name the same team two weeks in a row and having to make so many changes has been hard.

“The club has had a few issues since Christmas but thankfully, the committee recognised we might end up going through a rough patch at some stage.

“That said, our youngsters such as Asa Phillips, Frankie White and Liam Lindsay have been performing well and gained some vital experience.”

Swann, Connor Phillips, Morgan Turner, Ben Satterley, Paddy Hester, Stefan Penny and Dan Smith are all set to miss the season’s swansong.

  • Poppies could leapfrog local rivals Verwood Town, Hamworthy and Brockenhurst with a win at Team Solent in their final Wessex Premier fixture.

Verwood entertain mid-table Lymington Town at Potterne Park, while Brockenhurst host Cowes Sports.

In Wessex One, Christchurch welcome Alton Town to Hurn Bridge, with the teams a place apart in the table.

Elsewhere, Ringwood Town are at home to Andover New Street (all 3pm).