TOM Killick admits Jack Dickson may require ankle surgery – but says the Poole Town man could continue to play a part until he goes under the knife.

Dolphins have been beset by injuries so far this season with Dickson’s troubles one of many headaches for Killick.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s trip to Hendon (3pm), the boss told the Daily Echo: “Jack will probably need an operation. He might be able to play a bit-part role while he is waiting for that.

“It’s another one where we are in the hands of the NHS so it’s difficult one in terms of timescale.

“He needs a very straightforward operation but it’s waiting to get it done which may prove the tricky bit.”

Killick expects to welcome back Richard Gillespie to the fold for the clash with Hendon, with Poole hoping to improve their ninth-place position in Southern League South.

Asked to describe his team’s start to season in the league, Killick said: “Mixed. We’ve had some really good away performances and some poor home ones.

“But considering we haven’t hit our stride yet and have suffered terribly with injuries, we are not a million miles away.

“To have the points that we have is by no means hugely negative. We are still in contention.”

Discussing Hendon, Killick added: “I haven’t got too much information about them other than through looking at their results and at their squad.

“They have got players who have played at a decent level, including Marvin Morgan who was at Bath.

“They will be a strong side and I would imagine they would hope to be fighting at the top end of the league. It’s a tough assignment but in recent history, we have performed better in those types of occasions.”