RELEGATION-threatened New Milton have been rocked by the loss to injury of Harrison Gilkes.

The 18-year-old will be out for the rest of the season after sustaining a broken arm in midweek.

Flying winger Gilkes, the son of former Reading star Michael Gilkes, had been one of Linnets’ top performers.

“It is a big blow for us because he had been on fire recently,” said New Milton boss Glenn Burnett. “He had been playing consistently well and this has come at a really bad time for him and us.”

Linnets, seven points clear of the drop zone, will be hoping for a bumper crowd when free football comes to Fawcett’s Field tonight.

The club has taken the unusual step of opening its door for nothing and will not be charging for entry to their Wessex Premier derby with Lymington Town (7.45pm).

Linnets welcome back Paul Preston and Callum Davies, while Alex Baldacchino could be available depending on his commitments with Poole Town.

Linnets: (from) Rowe, Davies, Case, Curtis, Donaldson, Preston, Stuart, Tanner, Desport, Moth, Baldacchino, Barge, Holland, Morris, Graham, Amey.

• Boss Ken Vaughan may run the rule over two Spanish midfielders during Poppies’ Victoria Park showdown with Newport (3pm).

Gabriel Vinuesa and Ivan Moreau, both students at Southampton University, have been training with Vaughan’s squad recently.

Poppies: (from) Vaughan, Crow, Molyneaux, Byrne, Crutcher, Leadbetter, Ingram, Cream, Ewen, Mas, K Brennan, Swann, K Brennan, D Brennan, Mena, Vinuesa, Moreau, Jackson, Hogan, Phillipson-Masters, Frampton.

• Christchurch boss Graham Kemp is keen to see Verwood Town clinch promotion to increase local rivalry in Wessex Premier.

Leaders Verwood would take a giant step towards achieving their aim if they were to see off Pewsey Vale at Potterne Park tomorrow (3pm).

Victory for Adie Arnold’s men, coupled with defeat for third-placed Team Solent, would guarantee the Potters a top-two finish.

“I would be over the moon if Verwood were to get promotion,” said Kemp. “I enjoy the local rivalry and have a lot of time for Adie.

“I would presume their team spirit is excellent. They are similar to us in many ways and that ‘small team’ mentality has always served us well.”

Jack Satterley and Charlie Gajic are both doubtful for Verwood, while Christchurch will be bidding for a seventh win in succession when they travel to Fareham Town (3pm).

Potters: (from) Lynch, Evans, Homer, Delaney, Kelly, Gajic, Wrixton, Webb, Haskell, Satterley, Dyer, Anderton, Sheppard, Wilson, Arnold.

Priory: (from) Collins, Thompson, Legg, Crutchley, Costello, Burt, Smith, Fairbrother, Osborne, Cook, Griffin, Kittle, Taylor, Harris, Dand, Lovell.