WEYMOUTH today received a boost after being told keeper Jason Matthews will only be banned for one game.

The Terras number one will be forced to miss next Wednesday's Nationwide South trip to Weston-super-Mare after his controversial late dismissal at Hornchurch last month.

Player-boss Steve Claridge initially feared his only experienced keeper would be suspended for three games after the red card, given for hauling down Urchins' substitute Jean Michel Sigure.

But he has been boosted after being told Matthews only has to miss the trip to the Avon club.

Claridge told Echosport: "Initially when Jason was sent off I, and pretty much everyone else, assumed he would be missing for three games because of the nature of the offence.

"That would have been a big blow because he is our only experienced keeper on the books and you never want to lose your number one.

"But we've since been told Jason's ban is only for one game, covering the trip to Weston-super-Mare next Wednesday.

"That is good news both for us and Jason because he is a lad that wants to be out there playing for Weymouth week in and week out."

Matthews was furious with his sending off at the Essex title challengers, claiming it had been defender Robbie Pethick who committed the foul.

But Claridge decided not to appeal to the Football Association after reviewing video footage of the game.

"I think Jason probably would have had a case," said Claridge.

"But the problem is that at our level of the game referees are rarely assessed and you can only rely on clear video evidence to overturn any decision.

"Unfortunately, from our point of view, the footage of the game did not clearly show exactly what happened so it probably would have been a waste of time and expense appealing the red card."

Claridge said he still planned to sign a loan keeper to cover Matthews' absence.

"I had a long hard think about whether young Simon Evans from the reserves could play up at Weston, but I think it would be better to get an experienced

keeper in on loan for that one," he said. That is nothing against Simon because I definitely think he is a good prospect and has a bright future ahead of him.

"But we're liable to come under plenty of aerial pressure up there and it would not be fair to throw him into a game like that.

"I've been talking to a few league clubs about the situation and I'm very close to sorting something out.

"We've been discussing things like terms of deals and things like that but I'm confident something will be sorted shortly."