GAVIN Bates will be out to prove a point when Weymouth Sports take on the Terras in a Dorset Senior Cup third round tie at the Wessex Stadium tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

The giant gloveman will be doing his best to help cause a major shock against the club that pays his wages.

Bates is officially third choice keeper at Radipole Lane, but he's been given permission by his employers to turn out for the Dorset Combination League minnows this evening.

Sports boss Adie Chance explained: "Gavin's been helping us out as and when he can this season and he's been the difference between success and failure on more than one occasion.

"From our point of view it's a terrific gesture by Weymouth to let him play. Without him we'd really have been struggling for a goalkeeper and so I'd like to thank Andy Mason for his co-operation."

And Chance today acknowledged that Bates is likely to get plenty of opportunities to shine against the Dr Martens Premier Division promotion chasers.

"We're obviously going into the game as rank outsiders," admitted Chance, "and I'm sure Gavin's going to be a busy man tonight. But it's a great opportunity for him to make a name for himself, as it will be for all of my lads.

"For most of them it will be the biggest game of football they've ever been involved in and I just hope they don't freeze and let the nerves get to them. All I've said to them is they've got to live and work in the town and so to make sure they can hold their heads up high when they're going about their business tomorrow."

Sports welcome back defender Andy Miles for the clash but midfielder Shane Stone has failed in his bid to recover from a hamstring injury.

The Terras meanwhile have named a near full-strength squad with starting places likely for Kevin Parker, Martin Underhay, Darran Rowbotham and Ryan Cross.

"Those four players are lacking a bit of match fitness at the moment", explained Mason, "and so this is an ideal game in which to give them a run out. It's important for all of them to get 90 minutes under their belts and I'll probably have a run out myself.

"Unfortunately we can't involve the reserves in this one because there's a ruling that says they can't play in both the Wessex Combination and Dorset Senior Cups. That's not to say we would have used many of them anyway because we're certainly not treating Weymouth Sports as a push over.

"Obviously we're confident and expected to win easily, but we definitely won't be taking anything for granted because Sports will always make it hard for you.

He added: "I'm just grateful that Adie Chance and his committee agreed to switch the game to a night meeting at the Wessex Stadium, thus saving us a midweek trip to King's Lynn. I just hope in return that we get a decent turn out to help give Sports a deserved financial boost."

If the scores are level after 90 minutes there will be 30 minutes of extra-time followed by a replay at a date to be arranged.

Weymouth Sports: Bates, Walker, Windust, Miles, Klust, Armstrong, Rose, Mitchell, T Steadman, De La Planque, Horton, Tizard, Reeson, Patterson, Chance.

Weymouth: Potter, Hale, S Browne, Waldock, Cross, Rawlinson, Parker, Mason, Dean, Underhay, D Rowbotham, Laws, Hutchinson, A Browne, Robinson, Phillips.

* Weymouth have arranged another fans' forum where supporters can meet Des Bulpin. The new director of football will be answering questions in the Wessex Lounge on Wednesday, December 5, starting at 8pm.