Truro City face tough trip to leaders Salisbury

Truro City player-manager Lee Hodges acknowledges his basement side face their toughest test of the Blue Square Bet South season at leaders Salisbury City tonight.

While Truro lost 4-2 at home to Billericay Town last Saturday, Salisbury added another point to their promotion bid with a 2-2 draw at Hornchurch to maintain a three-point lead over second-placed Welling United.

Hodges said: "You only have to look at where they are and their results to see how well they have done. The table doesn't lie. They are top for a reason."

Hodges has built up a rapport with Salisbury boss Darrell Clarke since the two sides vied for promotion from the Southern League. Hodges said: "Darrell has got a good side, he has done a great job."

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The 39-year-old Hodges is also looking forward to his team playing at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium. He said: "I know, when we were supposed to play them, it was rained off, but, weather permitting, the pitch there at Salisbury is always nice and that suits us."

Team-wise, Hodges is keeping his fingers crossed that striker Andy Watkins will recover from the chest infection that ruled him out of Saturday's defeat, while midfielder Marcus Martin is suspended.

Last Saturday, Hodges paired veteran ace Barry Hayles with in-form target man Kieffer Moore, who has scored four goals in Truro's last three league outings.

The City boss was also able to introduce new signing Matt Wright, a Plymouth-based former Salisbury striker.

Hodges said: "He's an out-and-out striker and I just felt we particularly needed reinforcing in that direction. He came for a trial with us last season, from Salisbury, at around the same time I signed Adam Kelly from that club.

"He's a Plymouth lad in his early 20s and after his trial with us he moved to Sweden. He has since come back and played for Poole Town."

The former Swansea City and Crystal Palace youngster has signed for City on non-contract forms. His addition is useful as injured striker Stewart Yetton is still three to four weeks away from a return, according to Hodges.

Hodges has apologised to supporters for Saturday's "sluggish display". He said: "We always miss Andy Watkins, of course; he brings great movement, but I'm not going to dwell on negatives.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's fantastic that the club is still alive – and the boys will never give up."

Truro City (from): McCormick, Hopkinson, Hall, Ash, Hodges, Williams, Broad, Cooke, Afful, Watkins, Moore, Hayles, Watts, Wright.