ASHLEY Wells is expected to be sidelined for at least nine weeks following the broken ankle he sustained in last Saturday’s victory over Bristol City.

The disappointing news is the first setback in what is shaping up to be an otherwise encouraging pre-season for the Terras, who travel to Wimborne Town tonight (7.45pm) bidding to extend their winning run to four matches.

Boss Brendon King is happy with the way things are progressing but has also warned that now is not the time for people to rest on their laurels particularly in the wake of Wells’ injury.

He told Echosport: “I have spoken to Ash and he is obviously very disappointed.

“He will be in a cast for six weeks and then we are looking at another three weeks after that but the one thing I do know with Ash is that when his rehab begins he will look after himself.

“As long as he does that and does what he is told then he will be fine.

“Football tends to throw these types of setbacks at you all the time and all you can do is take them on the chin and get on with things.

“That is why as a squad we need to keep pushing on because sometimes things can change very quickly.

“Obviously, we are happy with the way things have gone so far but we are still only at 70 per cent and there are a lot more aspects of our game which we still need to work on, and that is what matches like tonight’s are all about.

“Wimborne have signed some decent players this summer so they will be another massive test for us as we continue to build towards August 18 and that first game of the season at home to Kettering Town.”

King included three trialists in his line-up against the Robins but at the moment it looks like only one will travel with the squad to Cuthbury.

He added: “Dan Smith will feature again this evening but we are not going to take on Jake Wright and I am still waiting on Charlie Clough.

“Rob Farkins also has a bit of a bad back so we will probably rest him for a week ahead of the home game against Dorchester Town on Saturday.”

Terras (from): Evans, Povall, Perry, McConnell, Jeannin, Poole, Dixon, Staines, Duff, Reed, Clay, Walker, Clarke, Conning, Ford, Joyce, Groves, Smith.

* Chickerell United entertain a Yeovil XI at the Bob Lucas Stadium tonight (7pm).