ALTHOUGH frustrated to watch from the substitutes’ bench, James Coutts insists he must remain patient in his bid to return to the Magpies’ engine room.

Following a two-month lay-off through injury, the 23-year-old has been restricted to four substitute appearances in the last five games.

However, it is the form of fellow midfielders Mark Jermyn and Jamie Gleeson that is keeping Coutts out of Dorchester Town’s starting XI – a situation the former Weymouth skipper fully understands.

He said: “Although when I came on against Gillingham Town a month ago I wasn’t quite fully fit, it was good to be chucked in because when you have been out for so long it’s sometimes more of a mental battle than a physical one.

“I have felt good every time I have come on, I would have liked to have played more but with the way the boys are playing at the moment I’ve just got to be patient.

“If the boys were losing and playing badly then the gaffer (Ashley Vickers) knows I would be knocking on the door asking why I’m not playing, but Jem and Glees have been superb so I’ve got no arguments.

“From a selfish point of view I want to be playing as I hate watching. But with the way the boys are playing, no one would walk straight back in the team.

“We’ve got a good squad, with real quality in depth, and I’ve just got to be patient. Hopefully when I do get my chance I can stay in the team.”

Coutts was due to feature last night but the Dorset Senior Cup clash with Poole Borough fell victim to the sub-zero conditions.

The Magpies have now seen back-to-back fixtures postponed, to which Coutts added: “We just need to make sure we keep ourselves fit because we may lose a few more games if the weather is as bad as they predict.

“The gaffer will make sure we don’t rest on our laurels.”

Dorchester will be hoping for better weather when they visit St Albans City this weekend.