TOM Killick admits a frenetic fixture list has not helped Poole Town's cause as the Tatnam side bid to continue their fine run at St Albans City.

Gripped by an injury crisis, Dolphins will tonight face their ninth game in 32 days with a squad of just 15 players set to travel to Clarence Park (7.45pm).

Boss Killick hopes Will Spetch will be available after illness ruled the defender out of Saturday's draw at Wealdstone. However, Carl Pettefer is sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Poole are on a run of seven league games unbeaten but Killick feels a busy schedule is making matters difficult for the National South new boys.

He told the Daily Echo: "The only that's a little bit unfortunate from our perspective is that the league have front-loaded the fixtures in a really significant way

"Having injuries at this stage of the season really affects you badly, whereas once you get into October there are far fewer midweek games so you are less affected.

"That's the only frustrating thing. To get injuries when fixtures are being absolutely crammed in makes it a bit tougher but I'm sure we're not the only ones so we just have to make the best of it."

Reflecting on his team's opposition, Killick added: "I've seen some footage of St Albans and they look like they have got a lot of pace in their side. They look formidable so it will be another difficult game.

"It's a really difficult stretch of fixtures that we're on at the moment but we just have to pick up as many points as we can."

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Lindsay, Spetch, Walker, Whisken, Case, Baggie, Granger, Devlin, Roberts, Burbidge, Wort, Davis, Surridge, Rees.

Lower down the ladder, Hamworthy United entertain Cowes Sports in a Wessex League Cup second-round clash, while Poppies host Andover Town in the first round of the Hampshire Senior Cup (both 7.45pm).