MANAGER Tom Killick insists he would not trade his place at Poole Town’s next league fixture for a spot on the sidelines at the Southern League Cup final.

Dolphins take on Corby Town in tonight’s decider (7.45pm) with the score at 1-1 from the first leg as the Premier Division title rivals do battle for the first part of a double won by only nine different clubs since World War Two. 

Crawley Town were the last to do so in 2004, joining the likes of Wimbledon, Cambridge United, Yeovil Town and Gillingham in scooping both prizes.

But while the historic significance is not lost on Killick, the Tatnam boss is adamant that Poole’s push for Conference South football must take precedence.

Killick, who completes his six-match stadium ban for improper conduct against the Steelmen, told the Daily Echo: “We have put a lot into the competition, gone all the way to Corby and done half the job.

“They are our nearest rivals in the league so there is that psychological element, and of course having the club’s name alongside those illustrious clubs would be a great honour so we are desperate to win it if we can.

“But I have to honest, I would rather miss a cup game rather than a league fixture, even if it is a final.

“Our primary motivation is to get out of the league. Should we do that, then winning the cup would put a gloss on the whole thing.

"That’s the way we have to look at it because getting promoted would be a huge and ongoing benefit to the club.”

Injured duo Carl Pettefer and Marvin Brooks are set to miss out, while Richard Gillespie is unlikely to recover in time and Keith Emmerson is unavailable.

Cherries loan signing Matt Butcher comes into contention and Harrison Gilkes may feature having emerged unscathed from Saturday’s substitute appearance against Cambridge City.

Winger Mason Walsh, also borrowed from Cherries, has a “slight tightness” in his groin which will be assessed by medical staff at Dean Court.

Should the final finish level, away goals would count double after 90 minutes. In the event of another 1-1 draw, matters would be decided on penalties with no extra-time played.

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Tallack, Spetch, Lindsay, Walker, Whisken, Butcher, Burbidge, Devlin, Quigley, Roberts, Gilkes, Lowes, Davis, Walsh, Dickson.