BOSS Matty Holmes insisted defender Matt Oldring had given his squad an extra edge this season.

The former Dorchester Town man played through the pain barrier during Wimborne's 1-1 draw at Barnstaple Town last time out after suffering a nasty blow to the face.

Oldring was determined to carry on despite blood pouring from his nose following the incident against Barum.

Manager Holmes revealed the centre-half should be fit to feature when his side host Kidlington in Southern League West on Saturday (3pm).

Speaking about Oldring, who arrived at Cuthbury in March, Holmes told the Daily Echo: “When you see a lad up for the cause with blood all over his nose and he still wants to get back on the pitch, he is leader material and he sets the tone for the others.

“He has that little bit of steel about him and an edge that we lacked a bit at times last season. He has really helped us with that.

“The lads look up to him. He has been immense and was the type of player we missed really.

“If we are trying to beat our finish from last season then we need him in the team all the time.”

Oldring is expected to feature in Magpies' squad for the encounter with 11th place Kidlington, who Holmes scouted on Tuesday during their 6-1 defeat at Salisbury.

The convincing reverse ended a five-game unbeaten run for the Greens.

“Although they lost heavily, the scoreline didn’t really reflect what they were like,” the Wimborne boss added.

“They have some dangerous players and we have to be very aware of that.”

Luke Holmes (hip) and Billy Maybury (ankle) are set to be assessed ahead of the clash. Ben Walker is expected to be back in the squad.

Wimborne are seven games unbeaten in all competitions and are seventh in the league, with 30 points coming from 18 games.

Magpies: Benfield, Oldring, Lovell, Penny, Davidson, Arnold, Kellaway, Maybury, Stokoe, Francis, T Holmes, Burbidge, Bayston, Holmes, Walsh, Cole, Walker.