MATTY Holmes admits the loss of captain Scott Arnold is a “big blow” for Wimborne Town – but hopes his squad have enough quality to cope without their talisman.

Wimborne travel to Southern League South high-fliers Salisbury on Saturday (3pm) with Arnold still waiting to discover the full extent of his injury.

The Magpies captain had to be stretchered off the pitch during the first half against Tiverton last weekend. Arnold is due back in hospital tomorrow for further assessment.

Boss Holmes said any side would suffer without their captain for a prolonged period.

“It is a big blow to lose your skipper,” said Holmes. “He is a very strong character and any team that loses their captain is going to suffer.

“I went to see him on Tuesday and he was in fairly good spirits.

“Since the start of the season we have had to bring players in. We added Franklyn Clarke and Matt Oldring came back to us.

"At this level you need numbers. There is a big difference from last season. You need to have the quality and depth in your squad.

“Earlier in the season we were ahead in a lot of games but the other team made substitutes which changed it and we lost a couple of matches.

“You need extra players. Losing Scott is a big blow but, hopefully, we can compensate until he comes back.”

Magpies are still without an away league win ahead of the trip to Raymond McEnhill Stadium.

Boss Steve Claridge has guided Salisbury to third in Southern League South after promotion from Southern League West last season.

And Wimborne manager Holmes expects a difficult game against the former Leicester and Portsmouth striker’s side.

“Salisbury have done very well,” said Holmes. “Steve has got his full strength team now.

“He had injuries last season and he did well to get promoted with some key players missing.

“They have a lot of energy in midfield and they try to pressure your front men. They play good football at the back.

“We have played them for the past two seasons home and away. We know a lot of their players and they know us.

“They are aware of Toby Holmes’s threat as well. He did very well against them last season when we beat them at home.

“Steve was brought up in the same era as me. It will be an interesting game but we are under no illusions, we are fighting to get points and that first away win which we are desperately after.

“We have to go there full of spirit with our recent home form and what we know we can potentially do away from home.”

Magpies: (from) Benfield, Penny, Lee, Hester, Davidson, Oldring, Clarke, Francis, Young, L Holmes, T Holmes, Flynn, Burbidge, Maybury, Collins, Stokoe, Douglas.

Cherries' Hampshire Senior Cup third-round tie at Horndean – which had been scheduled to take place on Wednesday – was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.