POOLE Town midfielder Steve Devlin has fanned the Dorset derby flames having revealed he would lose no sleep if former club Dorchester were to suffer consecutive relegations.

Struggling Dorch head to Tatnam tomorrow (3pm) on the back of five straight league defeats in December, a run which has left the Magpies a solitary point ahead of the Southern League Premier Division drop zone.

Devlin, 29, established himself as a firm favourite with 11 goals in 104 appearances at the Avenue and was twice voted supporters' player-of-the-season before switching to Poole for a four-figure fee in January 2012.

The all-action playmaker has enjoyed a fruitful three years with Dolphins, his 46 goals in 144 appearances helping Tom Killick's men to the Southern South & West title and two Dorset Senior Cups.

His latest goal, a wonder strike at Frome on Boxing Day, sent Poole back to the Southern League summit with another three points his only wish from the crunch clash with his ex-employers.

Devlin told the Daily Echo: “I left Dorchester on bad terms so it will not be a big occasion for me. It is just the next test we face in trying to get promoted.

“I had some good times there but also had some bad ones. I expect to get a bit of stick from the fans for leaving but a lot of them will not know my reasons. I will just take it with a pinch of salt and go out to do what I need to do.

“I'm looking forward to playing them and I'm looking forward to beating them. If they were to go down again I would not be upset for them.

“They have a few problems internally so I do not know how they will affect the way they play but Tom (Killick, Poole manager) is not one to look at other teams too much.

“He just wants us to be at the top of our game and play like we did against Frome. Hopefully we will play like that again and take a few more chances.”

And Devlin was adamant his friendships beyond enemy lines would not result in him showing Dorch any mercy.

“I'll be looking forward to seeing lads like Jake Smeeton, Jamie Gleeson and Nick Crittenden but as soon as that whistle goes they will be the enemy for 90 minutes,” he added.

“After the game I am sure we will share a drink and a catch up but there will be no sentiment, Poole is my club now and probably will be until I hang up my boots.

“The move was three years ago so this is just another game for Poole as far as I am concerned.”

Boss Killick added: "It was one of the first games I looked for when the fixtures came out. I thought they would be challenging for promotion and am a little surprised at where they are.

"They have the core of a good side but have been hit hard by injuries. I am expecting a closely-fought game and think one goal will settle it."  

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Jermyn, Martin, Walker, Whisken, Pettefer, Burbidge, Devlin, Gillespie, Brooks, Maloney, Tallack, Roberts, Davis, Lindsay, Emmerson, Manley.