WEYMOUTH manager Bobby Wilkinson admitted Ben Thomson’s ankle injury has taken longer than expected to heal.

Thomson has only played 15 minutes for the Terras since agreeing a move back to the club from Salisbury.

The experienced forward was injured during a heavy tackle in the 2-1 win at Welling in late November.

Wilkinson has since brought in Reading marksmen Nahum Melvin-Lambert and David Nyarko on loan as cover.

Weymouth strikers Brad Ash and Ahkeem Rose have meanwhile been sharing the scoring duties, netting 26 times between them this season.

Giving more detail on Thomson’s injury, Wilkinson told Echosport: “It’s taken longer than I thought and expected, but I support the lad.

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“We’re trying to do our best to get him back. He’s still got pain in the ankle. We’re trying to get to the bottom of it and get him pain free.

“We’re just trying to look after the lad, his health comes first. Wouldn’t I love him to be part of this squad? We’re working extremely hard to get him back.

“We’ve done lots of physio work. He was jogging on Wednesday but you name it we’ve done it.

“We’ve had him scanned, he’s seeing a top physio for a second opinion. As a club we’re working extremely hard to get him back.

“That’s why we’ve brought in the other two strikers. Nahum trained (Thursday) so he’s fit for the weekend.”

Wilkinson admitted he will opt against any further player business unless absolutely necessary.

“We’ve done all our business,” Wilkinson insisted. “Now we’ve got one or two coming back from injury our business is done.

“You never know, anything can happen in football, but I’m happy with this squad. We don’t need anyone else coming in.

“The only way it will change is if certain loanees have to go back and aren’t allowed to stay out.”

Weymouth visit Hemel Hempstead this afternoon (3pm).