BOSS Tom Killick is hoping to get Poole frontman Richard Gillespie fit and firing in the coming weeks.

The experienced striker recently received positive news from a knee scan and could play a part in Poole’s bank holiday fixtures this weekend.

They include an away clash at Bath City tomorrow (3pm), before a home game on Monday against Hungerford Town.

The former Bashley, Eastleigh and AFC Totton hotshot has been back in training this week and, providing he comes through the final weekend preparations unscathed, could feature.

Asked about Gillespie’s progress, Killick told the Daily Echo: “He had an injection which the doctor is confident will remedy the problem.

“Psychologically, he now knows that we have had a clear diagnosis and hopefully a remedy. That will be a big boost for him.

“He is one that the players would be very enthusiastic to welcome back. This knee problem had been plaguing him for quite a while.

“If he can get back playing pain free, he is very well respected at this level. To have him back would certainly be some welcome good news.

“He might be able to play some part in the games over the weekend but he is a little way from being match fit. With the background to him I think it’s important to be cautious, so we will see.

“If he comes through training, he will potentially come into the squad at some point.”

Dolphins are set to take on a Bath City outfit who have won their previous two fixtures in National South, with 2-1 victories over Truro and Havant & Waterlooville respectively.

Connor Lemonheigh-Evans scored in both of those games for the Romans, who sit 12th in the league, two places below Poole.

Quizzed on tomorrow’s opposition, who Poole lost 3-0 against in the same fixture last season, Killick added: “They had a bit of an indifferent start, which was a blow considering their expectations, but they have recovered well.

“When we played them last year at Bath we had a difficult afternoon.

“They have some formidable firepower in terms of forwards, so we need to be at our best.”

With two games in rapid time, Killick is aware the intensity of league fixtures can be difficult.

But the Dolphins manager insists he will not have it as justification for a poor performance.

“It’s difficult at whatever level you are playing,” he added.

“To have two games in 48 hours is hard but you know when you play on the Monday, perhaps the other team are tired and in exactly the same boat.

“Sometimes it’s just a case of being mentally strong and not using that as an excuse.”

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Lindsay, Smeeton, Spetch, Whisken, Pettefer, Bedford, Burbidge, Devlin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cooper, Dickson, Moore, Lee, Gillespie, Rees, Baggie.