POOLE Town could cash in should Swindon-bound striker Charlie Austin go on to win an England cap.

Austin is today expected to complete his move to the League One outfit in a deal which could potentially be worth in excess of £50,000 to the Dolphins.

Although the fee is undisclosed, Poole will receive an initial down-payment with a further series of clauses – including a sell-on – dependant on the striker’s success at the County Ground.

And the transfer package has also made provision for Austin going on to represent his country, either at under-21 or full international level.

Poole vice-chairman Chris Reeves told the Daily Echo: “If his career were to take off, which we all hope it will, we didn’t want to be left with egg on our faces and for the club not to benefit.

“There has been a significant upward graph in his level of play over the past few months and everyone at Poole wishes Charlie nothing but good fortune. If he is a success then Poole Town would benefit considerably.”

Austin is today expected to be unveiled at a press conference after agreeing terms on an initial nine-month contract which includes the provision for a 12-month option.

Meanwhile, Poole extended to seven points their lead at the top of the Wessex Premier following a 1-0 win over Lymington Town on Tuesday with Carl Preston on target.

Poole’s cause was helped as neighbours Bournemouth Poppies downed second-placed Bemerton Heath Harlequins 3-1 at Victoria Park. Rico Wilson’s first-half double and Dave Wrixton’s late strike saw Poppies climb into third place.

Dolphins: Jones, Poore, Whitley, Lloyd, Browne (P Smith, h-t), Gill (Hubbard, 75), Skelton, Richardson, T Smith (Preston, h-t), Cook, S Smith.

Poppies: Vaughan, Arnold, Byrne, Peprah-Annan, Crutcher, Blake, Roberts, Phillipson-Masters, Wilson, Diaper (Wrixton, 60), Cann. Unused subs: Toy, Bates, Delaney, Chengadu.

Christchurch booked a trip to New Milton in the Wessex League Cup following a dramatic penalty shoot-out triumph at Downton. Priory won through 6-5 thanks to successful spot kicks from Ben Osborne, Dan Taylor, Dave Legg, Colin Dand, Steve Linpow and Ben Hatch. Earlier, Tom Jeffes had scored in normal time, while regular penalty-taker Paul Rideout missed Priory’s first spot kick in the shoot-out.

Priory: Kearn, Dand, Legg, Crutchley, Linpow, Dan Taylor, Smith (Fairbrother, 30), Rideout, Woolner (Osborne, 65), Jeffes (Hatch, 80), Danny Taylor.