CAPTAIN Chris Park is hopeful spin king Rob Pack will stay safe from injury during his post-match birthday celebrations.

The Lions star is set to make his return to Bournemouth’s Southern Premier League side when they on Saturday host Havant at Chapel Gate (12.30pm).

Left-armer Pack missed the first two weeks of the campaign having injured his ankle on a dancefloor during a club night out prior to the start of the campaign.

And wicketkeeper Park, who is set to attend Pack’s birthday bash following the contest this weekend, insisted he would be keeping a keen eye on the bowler.

He told the Daily Echo: “Rob is desperate to play and has played the past couple of Wednesday nights just to keep himself involved.

“He is celebrating his 21st birthday this week as well - but will be on best behaviour when he’s out in town again!

“He has invited everyone out for a few drinks. I am sure there will be a barbecue or something on at the club.

“We will be making sure that Rob stays off the dancefloor – that’s for sure!

“Fingers crossed he can hit the ground running this year. He bowled well in pre-season and we are looking forward to having him back.”

Pack comes back into the fold alongside Bournemouth’s Ben Bridgen. Ed Denham and Jake Hurley are unavailable.

Lions beat Basingstoke & North Hants in their season opener before falling to a two-wicket defeat to Lymington last time out.

Asked for his overall target this campaign, Park added: “Mid-table, we want to be competitive in every single game and I’d like to think, on our day if we are playing at 95 per cent of our ability then we will give any team a game.

“I’d like to win as many games as we lose and, come the all-day stuff, we have to be difficult to beat and see whether we can spin a few teams out on turning pitches mid-summer.

“Three or four of us have played at this level before and the young lads look comfortable. They have settled in nicely.

“Mid-table would be a great, a stable season for us now and next season we will see what we need to do for the following year.”

Visitors Havant go into the contest having sealed an impressive six-wicket home victory over St Cross.

Captain Richard Hindley struck an unbeaten 89 to guide his side to victory.