BOSS Tom Killick revealed Poole’s Will Spetch would be out for between three to five weeks after initially fearing his knee problem could have been much worse.

The Dolphins defender sustained the injury during his side’s convincing 6-0 win over Farnborough in Southern League South.

He will miss Saturday’s trip to Isthmian League South East Horsham in the FA Cup third qualifying round.

Giving an update on the centre-half, Killick told the Daily Echo: “He has been ruled out with a grade one strain to his lateral collateral ligament, which is the outside ligament in his knee.

“It will probably keep him out between three to five weeks.

“The way the injury occurred when he hyper-extended his leg, you almost feared it could have been an awful lot worse.

“As much as I’m disappointed to be without him in the short term, I am relieved that it’s not more serious according to the results of the scan.

“It would have been devastating for him and for us if we had to be without him for a long period. We have to look at it as positive news I think.

“Being without Will is not ideal but, at this time of the season, we are not in bad shape injury-wise coming into a game of this magnitude. We have options in terms of replacing Will.”

Dolphins will also be without Yeovil Town loan striker Korrey Henry, meaning experienced hitman Richard Gillespie could start up front.

Horsham are 14th in their respective division – one step below Dolphins – with nine points from seven games.

The Hornets came from two goals down to win 3-2 at home to Phoenix Sports on Tuesday, a fixture manager Killick had watched.

A considerable £15,000 is up for grabs for Dolphins, as well as the opportunity to compete for £25,000 in the next round.

“We had someone having a look at them on Tuesday and I have seen some fairly extensive YouTube clips from the previous round,” said Killick.

“We will know a reasonable amount about them but we try not to get too obsessed with the opposition. You need to know enough but not lose sight of what you need to be doing yourselves.

“It could have been a better draw but it could have been a lot worse. We are drawn against a side who are lower down the pyramid, albeit only one league.

“We feel it gives us a fighting chance and we have to take it. It’s all very well thinking it’s a good opportunity for us but it only becomes that if we perform properly.

“Our away form is very good so we are not too concerned about being away from home.”

Dolphins (from): Cairney, Alawode-Williams, Whisken, Griffin, Leslie-Smith, Pettefer, Clarke, Moore, Bedford, Brooks, Roberts, Gillespie, Devlin, O’Connor, Smeeton, Balmer, Grange.