MATTY Holmes has played down Wimborne Town's chances of reaching the Southern League West play-offs.

Magpies' recent form has elevated them to eighth in the division but boss Holmes feels the small size of his squad may make sustaining a play-off charge difficult.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's trip to Paulton Rovers, he told the Daily Echo: "I'm dismissing that totally. It's not even in the equation because we've got 16 players.

"I had two players who had fitness tests on Saturday, then you are looking at a couple of young development boys coming on the bench.

"After that you have got myself, Danny Holmes and Shane Traynor and I don't want to play! I know Danny doesn't want to play either but we're all signed on because that's the nature of it.

"If we get hit by three or four injuries, our backs are against the wall.

"We have to concentrate on beating last year's points total and league position by one and anything after that is a bonus. That's all we can concentrate on."

Holmes will make a late check on Jack Lovell, who played in the 3-0 win over Swindon Supermarine on Saturday but is still nursing a shoulder problem.

Former Swindon Town and Blackpool goalkeeper Rhys Evans is due to travel with the squad after signing.

Magpies: (from) Benfield, Maybury, Cole, Arnold, Oldring, Kellaway, Stokoe, L Holmes, T Holmes, Burbidge, Lovell, Penny, Walker, Davidson, Bayston, Francis, Evans.