POPPIES defender Joe McGrath has been sidelined for two weeks with suspected ankle ligament damage.
But Victoria Park chief James Wood breathed a huge sigh of relief when X-rays revealed the right-back had not suffered a break.
McGrath sustained his injury during Poppies' 1-0 home triumph over US Portsmouth on Tuesday.
He collided with the goalkeeper and caught his studs in the ground during the Sydenhams Cup clash.
Wood, whose side visit Brading in the Premier Division tomorrow (3pm), said: "Luckily it's not a break, but we think it is ligament damage to his ankle.
"That will put Joe out for a few weeks minimum. Ben Lucas, our centre half, is suspended for two games so we'll miss him, and we also have an injury to Tom Jeffes, who I don't think will be available for Saturday.
"They are all regulars, so we'll have to reshuffle. But we have a strong squad, so it is simply a case of fitting other players in."
Poppies: (from) Kearn, Crow, Cherrett, Dibba, Morrell, M Toy, C Toy, Dancer, White, Sanderson, M Smith, L Phillips, Barnes, Hancock, McCabe.
- Wimborne are down to the "bare bones" for their home clash against Bemerton tomorrow.
Sam Percival and Ollie Phillipson-Masters sustained injuries during their 2-1 county cup home win over Shaftesbury in midweek while player-manager Christer Warren is sidelined through a one-match ban.
David Lawrence and Danny Blackburn come into the squad.
Wimborne: (from) Hutchings, Arnold, Roast, Vavrecka, Langrish, James, Moore, Whitcher, Joyce, Stokoe, Mulhern, Bailey-Pearce, Lawrence, Blackburn.
- Striker Warren Byerley is back for Hamworthy United at home to Downton after a bout of flu while Matt Grimason is unavailable.
Hammers: (from) Peters, Hubbard, Williams, Horlock, Walker, Dovell, R Middleton, Dean, Legg, Jackson, Connett, Byerley, Swann, Mutch, Gilbert.
- Ringwood travel to Hamble with the same squad that lost 5-2 at East Cowes in midweek, while Dave Ewen is suspended for New Milton's visit to Lymington Town.
Ringwood: (from) Goodman, Brunnen, Rus-son, Cox, Kerley, Leadbetter, Howse, Wright, Greaves, Bellott, Hicks, Carroll, Taylor, Foster.
New Milton: (from) Jones, Holt, R Chengadu, K Chengadu, Neville, Booker, Grace, Smith, Pidgley, Long, Marks, Molloy, Sampays, Borthwick, Kabir, Hall.
- Pete King and Adam Faulkner are unavailable for Verwood's home clash against Shaftesbury.
Verwood: (from) Willis, Giles, Newbury, Lynch, Yerby, Homer, Dyer, Beverley, Elysee, Arnold, Goodall, Reeves, Freeman, Rogers.
- Hamworthy Recreation host Blandford and Holt entertain Bridport in the Dorset Senior Cup second round (both 2pm).
Recreation: (from) Leonard, Marsh, Brian, Elmes, Lucas, Walden, Notley, Moores, Rigler, Willis, Hole, Allen, O'Connor, Vincent.
Holt: (from) Mitchener, Blackham, White, S Edwards, Foley, I Edwards, Hensall, Brown, S Bradford, Facer, Chivers, McGowan, Reynolds, Sullivan.
- Hamworthy United host Surrey-based RARA Livingstone in the FA Sunday Cup second round(2pm).
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