WIMBORNE Town boss Steve Cuss is backing free-scoring Merley Cobham Sports striker Luke Stone to deliver the goods in the Southern League.

Stone last week dual registered with the Magpies and has been named for the first time in their squad for tomorrow’s visit of North Leigh to Cuthbury (7.45pm).

One of the most prolific marksmen in the country at step seven, the 24-year-old has netted 66 times in 50 games for Merley and former club Hamworthy Recreation.

His exploits in the Dorset Premier League have prompted Cuss to see if he can bridge a sizeable gap of three steps and cut it in Division One South & West of the Southern League.

Cuss told the Daily Echo: “There is a phrase about goalscorers always scoring goals at whatever level. Luke has scored on a regular basis in the Dorset Premier League and we have been monitoring him.

“We are delighted he has agreed to come to us, albeit on a part-time basis to start with. Luke will continue to play for Merley on Saturdays and be available for us in midweek.

“It may change depending on what happens during the course of the season and, hopefully, he will do well for us and score goals.

“We will give him a feel for Wimborne and the Southern League and, if it works for all parties, he will be with us on a full-time basis next season.”

Stone may have to settle for a place on the bench as Wimborne look to make further ground on the play-offs when they host ninth-placed North Leigh, who are four points above the Magpies.

Midfielder Luke Holmes could be pushing for a start after impressing when he came off the bench during Saturday’s 3-0 win over Larkhall, his debut following his youth loan move from Cherries.

Cuss said: “You could see his technical ability was top class and he was a real threat when he was running with the ball. We will be keen to get him into the starting line-up so he can show what he can do.”

Magpies, beaten 1-0 at North Leigh last month, have won three of their past four games and are currently seven points shy of the top five.

Cuss added: “There isn’t a lot between the team in third and those down to 16th, 17th or 18th.

Everyone is capable of beating each other and we showed that against Larkhall.

“If you can put together a three or four-game run, you can get yourselves on the brink of the play-offs. If you don’t, you can find yourselves in the mid-table patch.

“For us, it’s about trying to get back-to-back wins. We’ve got an opportunity to get a run going and have to try to continue to pick up points.”

Goalkeeper Jason Harvell, skipper Scott Arnold and striker Matt Kemble are all available after missing the Larkhall clash, while defender Ian Oliver could also return.

Magpies: (from) Harvell, Biles, Lupton, Maybury, Costello, Blake, Griffin, Davidson, Kellaway, Gamble, Stokoe, Holmes, Waters, Wilcox, Roast, Arnold, Kemble, Stone, Oliver, Field.

  • Striker Luke Roberts (injured) and winger Luke Burbidge (ill) could miss Poole Town’s trip to Bideford in the Premier Division tomorrow (7.45pm).

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Tallack, Lindsay, Walker, Whisken, Pettefer, Burbidge, Devlin, Quigley, Brooks, Gilkes, Davis, Roberts, Gillespie, Martin, Thomas.