Danny Holmes said Wimborne will “have to be vigilant” if they are to beat Gosport Borough at Cuthbury in the Southern League South on Saturday (3pm).

Magpies are currently 13th in the table while Saturday’s opponents are in eighth, four points above.

Speaking to Radio Wimborne, Holmes said: “I know they're a big, strong side. They will be a tough team. They've got a lot of lads from a league higher. I know they're going to be not the same as they were last year.

“We'll be prepared for them. I've seen some stuff on them. They pass and move the ball well and they're a big, strong unit.

“We'll have to be vigilant and we'll have to be on top of our game because they'll be looking to get promoted this year and be up there or thereabouts.

“There's a lot of investment going on at their club. But we'll be at home, it will be fantastic in front of our crowd.

“I fancy ourselves against anyone at home, but we must be mindful that we've got to have a battle to start with and be really up for it and then hopefully we'll get the points that we deserve.”

Magpies have a busy run of fixtures starting on Saturday, including an evening Dorset Senior Cup tie against Shaftesbury on December 3. Including Saturday, Holmes’ team have eight matches before Christmas.

Speaking about whether he was planning much squad rotation, Holmes said: “We've always got to look at that but I think for the next game or so we've got to look at what's doing well for us.

“Against Yate, we were fantastic, especially in the second half. The boys that started there were excellent.

“That’s one of our better sides that has started because we attack well with that group of boys.

“I’m mindful that at times if you keep swapping and changing, it does get hard for everyone concerned.

“It’s good that we've got a bit of rotation going on, but I need to have a more settled side so that's what we'll look to do.

Holmes went on to say that Rico Wilson is expected to return from his injury in two weeks. Josh Buck is also a week away from returning. Holmes said apart from that his side were “looking really good at the moment” and have had lots of time to build towards the game against Gosport.