BOBBY Wilkinson revealed Bournemouth loanee Chris Francis has been left out of the squad in recent games to renew his hunger for a starting place.

Francis, on loan until the season’s end, has not featured in Weymouth’s squad of 16 for the 2-1 defeats to Concord Rangers and Hemel Hempstead Town.

His last appearance came in the 2-1 victory over Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday, February 4 when he was substituted after 70 minutes for new signing Nahum Melvin-Lambert.

Francis had completed 90 minutes in the previous five matches.

Wilkinson told Echosport: “He’s played 90 per cent of the games since he’s been here but we didn’t put him in last week’s squad.

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“We wanted to freshen him up, he played a lot of football. I’m looking after these boys because we’ve got a duty to.

“He’s here until the end of the season and he’s got to learn his trade when he’s going through a bad time and a good time.

“I’ve done this many, many times over the years where I give them that bit of hunger. I don’t want any player thinking they’re playing at the moment.

“He’s been a credit to manage and he’s a big part of the future. When you look at my team, just like my other clubs, it’s full of youth and energy.”

Weymouth host St Albans City this afternoon (3pm).

Elsewhere, Weymouth have opened voting on their next induction of hall of famers.

Three players will be selected by fan votes, with one chosen by the Terras’ board.

Tony Agana, Paul Arnold, Simon Browne, Dave Camp, Kyle Critchell, Kevin Dove, Stuart Morgan, Jimmy Newport, Mark Robinson and Steve Tully are the ten players in the reckoning.