MANAGER Tom Killick insisted he would welcome wantaway winger Luke Holmes back at Poole Town – despite his imminent return to Wimborne.

Killick revealed the 18-year-old’s desire to move back to Cuthbury had been prompted by disappointment with his game time in recent weeks.

But the Dolphins boss confirmed the ex-Cherries youngster would remain on his radar and also refused to deny speculation that the transfer could pave the way for wideman Carl Preston – who moved to Wimborne when Holmes headed to Tatnam – to rejoin to Poole.

Killick told the Daily Echo: “At Luke’s age and at this the stage of his development, he would have had spells where he got a good run in the side and other spells where he wouldn’t. He feels he doesn’t want that, which I can understand.

“He is desperate to play football and every minute he is not on the pitch upsets him. He knows he can go back to Wimborne and be involved in every game.

“As much as I am disappointed because I love having him here and feel he has a lot to offer, I do understand his reasoning. He has behaved impeccably and there are no hard feelings at all.

“This doesn’t necessarily mean the end for him at Poole, he just feels it’s not quite right for him at this time.

“It is a permanent move back to Wimborne and I would not be disrespectful enough to suggest it is anything different but I think a lot of Luke and if circumstances change in the short or medium term, I would be glad to have him back.

“I hope he does really well for Wimborne and that it leads to progression, whether that’s with them, us or another club. He is a player that deserves to do well.”

Preston’s transfer was a permanent one but Killick reported at the time that an informal arrangement had been put in place for him to re-sign the long-serving Dolphin should he wish to.

Preston has belied Wimborne’s treacherous start by firing home nine goals in 13 matches, all of which he has started for the struggling Magpies.

Killick added: “I have always had a good relationship with Carl having known him for probably six or seven years. I keep in touch with him.

“If we got to the point where he felt it would be right to come back to us, we felt the same and Wimborne were okay about it then it might happen.

“He will be playing for Wimborne on Saturday and then we need to see how it develops.”

Wimborne boss Steve Cuss politely declined to comment on links with Holmes or former Poppies defender Wayne Crutcher.