MATTHEW McGowan today urged Weymouth to appoint their new head coach within the next fortnight.

The Terras acting director of football revealed he 'reluctantly agreed' to take over team affairs after boss Steve Claridge's sacking earlier this week.

And the club director, who spoke with Weymouth's squad at training last night, said fans should not expect wholesale changes when the Radipole Lane side travel to lowly Welling in Nationwide South tomorrow.

He told Echosport: "This is the second occasion I've been Weymouth's director of football and this time I hope I'm not in this role in a fortnight.

"It's a job I did not really want but this club means a lot to me so when Martyn Harrison asked me to help on Tuesday night, I could not really say no.

"Ideally we will get the new man in place sooner rather than later because that would be the best thing for the club, but whatever happens it is important we get it right.

"What is going to be a big help between now and then is that I've got a lot of good people around me to help on the footballing side of things.

"Both Gary Borthwick and John Waldock are experienced at this level and will stay in their previous roles to help me out.

"Skipper Paul Buckle is also helping out with the coaching and I think he definitely has a big future ahead of him. He works down at Exeter coaching so this is just an extension of that.

"He took training last night and I'm pleased to say things seemed to go very well. All the squad attended, with no exceptions, and responded positively to Gary, John and Bucks. I spoke about the situation and will do so again before the game tomorrow."

McGowan said Weymouth have only one injury doubt going into tomorrow's Park View Road clash, with defender Matt Bound still out.

But he ruled out making major changes to the side, which was dumped out the FA Cup at Thame United in midweek.

"Every person has their own ideas about players and I'm no different," said McGowan.

"Steve's departure might mean the end of an era for some people, but perhaps it is the start of a new one for

others. That will be something for the new manager to decide, but in the meantime I don't think there are going to wholesale changes.

"Myself, Gary, John and Bucks will probably tinker with a few things but first I want to talk to the players tomorrow to see where their heads are.

"They are on contracts and are expected to be professional - but it may well be that one or two will decide to move on shortly."

Meanwhile, chief executive Harrison today said the new appointment would be given the title head coach.

And the hotelier reaffirmed his commitment of bringing Coca-Cola League football to the Wessex Stadium.

He said: "What I did to step in and take over the club just might have been a little rash at the time, but it does not seem like that any more.

"I will do everything I can to bring league status to Weymouth. Nothing will stop me in my efforts to make this happen."

Struggling Welling boss Paul Parker admitted he was not surprised Claridge was given the shove by the mid-table Terras.

"It just shows that no matter who you are, you're never too big a name to get the sack," he said.

"They have spent a lot of money and have a big wage bill and were expected to be in the top two this season. That hasn't happened and Steve has paid the price for it. In many ways, I'm surprised I have lasted longer than he has given our form this season."