BOSS Tom Killick insists he must maintain a ruthless selection policy if ambitious Poole Town are to continue on an upward spiral.

His comments come after midfielders Micky Hubbard and Taffy Richardson were both left out in recent games, much to the pair’s disappointment.

“They are both good players,” said Killick, who dropped Hubbard for the midweek win over Cinderford and Richardson following victory at Abingdon on New Year’s Eve.

“Sometimes, you will upset people and, while you acknowledge it may be an unfair decision, it doesn’t mean it is not the correct one.

“I know it means you will get players who genuinely feel they should be playing every week but I would rather they were disappointed and upset than just accepted it.

“The most important factor of the success we have had over recent years has been the strength of our squad and that means you will have good players on the bench every week.

“That was possibly the difference between us and some of our rivals in the Wessex League and we have got to try to maintain that now we are in the Southern League.

“We are trying to assemble a powerful squad so not everyone will play every game. You can’t be sentimental about it and have to be quite ruthless.”

Killick has seen the likes of Tom Jeffes, Russell Cook and Taz Roberts jump ship due to a lack of opportunities this season and knows dealing with disaffected players goes with the territory.

Poole will be looking to maintain their six-match unbeaten run in Division One South & West when they host Sholing at Tatnam tomorrow (3pm).

The third-placed Boatmen are currently four points ahead of Poole and arrive in Dorset bidding to complete a double following their 3-2 win at Portsmouth Road in August.

Killick added: “I hoped we would become more powerful over the course of the season and think we have. I feel we are stronger now than we were then, not just in terms of the squad but also in terms of learning about this league “We are not getting carried away because any of the top 14 teams could reach the play-offs. Sholing are an established side and it should be another good game.”

Defender Rhys Baggridge plays the final game of his month’s loan from Yeovil, although Killick is hoping to extend his stay. Pete Smith, Sam Clarke and Aaron Skelton are added to the Poole squad.

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Gill, Spetch, Walker, Baggridge, Howes, Brooks, Emmerson, Joyce, Preston, Cann, S Smith, Hubbard, Richardson, Daysh, P Smith, Clarke, Skelton.

n Goalkeeper Stewart Kearn is expected to start for Bashley when they visit Cambridge City in the Premier Division (3pm).

Kearn, who signed Southern League forms with Bash this week, is set to replace Tommy Smith following the end of his loan spell from Salisbury.

Defender Jack Smith returns after serving a three-match ban but Dave Allen sits out the first of a two-match suspension for picking up 10 bookings.

Bash: (from) Kearn, J Smith, Whitley, Oliver, Middleton, Gazzard, Finlay, Stokoe, Geteski, Vokes, Foster, Penny, Onoufriou, Gamble, Green, Hill, Ferrett, Riley, Prodomo.