WEYMOUTH’S hopes of beating the drop in the Blue Square Premier have suffered another blow with the withdrawal of three key players ahead of tonight’s clash at high-flying Histon (7.45pm).

Callum Hart and Marcus Browning have both been ruled out through injury while Stephen Cooke is unavailable due to family problems.

The Terras are just two points adrift of safety but with no win in their last 13 games and the teams around them all harbouring a far superior goal difference it is clear the club requires a massive upturn in fortunes in their final three encounters to survive.

Gould is hoping such a miracle can be achieved but his side’s chances of gaining a positive result at the Glassworld Stadium look bleak especially as the Stutes have only lost once on their own patch in the league this season and will secure a play-off spot with victory.

And with fellow relegation candidates York City, Grays Athletic and Barrow also in action this evening the relegation picture could be a lot clearer come the end of the night.

Gould said: “Both teams are battling for every point for different reasons and all we can do is go up there and try and play to the best of our ability.

“Cliff Akurang knows Histon well and I have also been in contact with Mark Yates from Kidderminster Harriers who is a good friend of mine.

“He took his team to Histon on Saturday and he has given me a few pointers so we have done our homework and as I see it they are under pressure as well.

“It will be interesting to see how they cope with that and although they have only lost once at home in the league this season, records are there to be broken.

“All we can do is concentrate on what we do. We cannot effect what happens elsewhere and all I hope is that we go there and start better than we did against Ebbsfleet United on Saturday because that will be vital.”

Commenting on his side’s bill of health, Gould added: “Jordan Collins will come in for Callum who suffered a nasty injury on Saturday along with Marcus Browning who also picked up a knock.

“Meanwhile. Cameron Mawer has an ongoing knee problem that we are continually monitoring while Stephen Cooke is unable to play due to family problems.

"Sam Cutler is also not quite ready yet to return but Pierre Joseph-Dubois will be on the bench again along with two or three of the younger lads.”