WEYMOUTH player-manager Jason Matthews confirmed he is planning to start striker Sam Jordan against Poole Town in a friendly at the Bob Lucas Stadium tonight (7.45pm).

Jordan, who made the switch to the Terras from Bradford Town this summer, has had a rocky pre-season schedule, having picked up an ankle injury in Weymouth’s first friendly against Exeter earlier this month.

The Terras’ boss has been keen not to rush the frontman back from the setback but insists now is the time for Jordan to step up against the Dolphins.

Speaking ahead of the clash with their Dorset rivals, Matthews told Echosport: “A few people need to get some serious minutes under their belts now they are back fit.

“Sam is set to start and it will be interesting to see how he does.

“It’s good to see him back, he is a really good lad and he is really hungry to prove himself at a higher level. Now is his chance with Ben Thomson unavailable.”

With both Poole and Truro set to provide stern tests to round off what has been a positive pre-season for Weymouth so far, the Terras’ boss is eager to see how his squad shape up against more higher-level opposition.

He added: “I am looking forward to both games and they give us another chance to look at a few different things and maybe a couple of different systems.”