WEYMOUTH assistant-manager Mike Percival confirmed the early substitution of striker Ben Thomson in the 4-0 loss to Poole Town was planned.

Thomson lasted just 38 minutes after starting the Dorset Senior Cup final but his early exit from the game was intentional.

It is understood Weymouth are keen to manage Thomson’s fitness in the same way they have managed Ahkeem Rose this season, given the duo’s struggles with injuries.

On what was a wet and chilly evening, Thomson indicated his hamstring began to feel tight and was removed for debutant Elliot Rossiter immediately after Poole went 1-0 up.

READ MORE: Poole Town 4-0 Weymouth - report

Speaking post-match, Percival said: “We were hoping to get Thommo through to half-time.

“He came off just before, he just said he started to feel his hamstring. The plan with Thommo was just purely to get minutes in his legs.

“It was a precaution because he just felt his hamstring a little bit. He got a solid 40 minutes and we’ll recover him. Hopefully he’ll be available for selection on Saturday.”

Weymouth, having rested 12 players from the 1-0 loss to Cheshunt, host Eastbourne on Saturday as their bid for National League South survival continues.

Percival told Echosport: “Our attentions turn to Saturday now and we’ll make sure we get a good session in with the boys that didn’t play.

“They’ve had a couple of days off since Saturday, we’ll make sure we get the tempo right and get set.

“We look ahead to Eastbourne now and while there’s still more than a chance of staying in this league, that’s the priority.

“It always has been the priority since we’ve come here. The cup games have come at a good time for us where it’s allowed us to play players that needed minutes.”

While some Weymouth fans have been vocal about the bleakness of the relegation picture, Percival stressed the Terras would continue to fight.

He added: “We’ve had a disappointing two games in terms of results but we’ve played exceptionally well in both games.

“How we’ve walked away from both games with zero points is probably the reason why we’re in the position we find ourselves.

“We have to keep believing that the way we’re performing is going to turn into points. You win Saturday and results go your way, it’s down to two (points to safety).

“Fans are entitled to their opinion but that certainly isn’t our opinion internally. We’ll keep working with this group until it’s mathematically impossible that we can stay up.”