WIMBORNE boss Matty Holmes hailed the impact of Billy Lowes and revealed the midfielder would be extending his stay at Cuthbury.

Lowes joined Magpies on a month’s loan from Weymouth at the start of January and has netted once in five appearances.

His initial deal is due to expire following tomorrow’s clash with AFC Totton – although Lowes is unavailable as he will serve a one-match ban.

Holmes has already spoken to Terras boss Jason Matthews regarding an extension and Lowes will start his second month when Wimborne visit leaders Hereford a week tomorrow.

“Billy has done well for us,” said Holmes. “He just needed to be playing games and that was something Weymouth couldn’t give him at this stage.

“He has fitted in very well to our midfield. He is a good passer and competitive so we are very pleased with what we have seen and want to keep him for another month.”

Lowes was one of three players to see red during Wimborne’s incident-packed 2-1 defeat at Mangotsfield with Sam Davidson and Jamie Davidson joining him for an early bath.

The trio will all sit out when Magpies host struggling Totton, who are now managed by former Cherries sports scientist Louis Langdown.

Holmes added: “We will have to shuffle around a couple of players because of the suspensions but we have been doing that all season.

“We have never really had a settle team and have had to juggle players in different positions. We will just get on with it and will be fine.

“It is going to be tough against Totton. A new manager always brings in fresh ideas and he has brought in some new players, including a couple we know very well from AFC Bournemouth and they will be well up for the game.

“We have been playing really well at home and I have been pleased with our form. It is just a shame we have lost our past three away games by the odd goal.

“Some of our recent results have been disappointing but I have been delighted with our performances.

“Sooner or later we are going to go on a run and everything is going to snowball because of the way we have been playing. We can’t keep playing well and losing by the odd goal.”

Meanwhile, Holmes said defender Connor Cocklin would be sidelined for between six to eight weeks after a scan had revealed he sustained knee ligament damage during the 1-0 defeat at Barnstaple last month.

And new loan signing Matty Neale from Cherries, who had to be registered before the transfer window closed on Tuesday, is unlikely to be available until later this month as he continues to recover from a long-term knee injury.

Holmes added: “Stephen Purches was keen for him to come to us so we could nurture him until the end of the season and give him as much game time as we can at our level.”