Winger Wilde's fitness battle
by Paul Baker

Thursday 30th December 2004

ADAM Wilde is facing a race against time to be fit to face Dorchester on New Year's Day.

The Terras winger has been sidelined for three weeks after suffering a groin strain in training.

Weymouth boss Steve Johnson had hoped to field, the ex-Worcester City man at the Avenue Stadium on Boxing Day but Wilde failed a fitness test an hour before kick-off.

Johnson explained: "Adam had just started to find some form when the injury occurred and it was a real blow when it happened.

His link-up play with Charlie Welch and lan Hutchinson down the left had been superb and we've missed that over the past couple of weeks.

"I had been hoping he would recover in time for Boxing Day and I had every intention of playing him.

That wasn't to be and so fingers crossed for Saturday.

"Having width in the side is all important and that's what Adam gives us.

We've got a lot to prove against Dorchester at the Wessex Stadium and it would be good to have him involved."

Johnson revealed that he is considering playing Wilde regardless-of whether the ex-England non-League international is fully fit.

"At the moment I'd rate him 50-50," added the manager, "and that's obviously not enough.

But if Adam turns up on Saturday about 10 per cent off then I'll definitely think about playing him.

Ideally I want all my players at their peak in terms of fitness but occasionally it's worth taking a risk.

"Adam's one of those who can a game on its head with a little bit of skill and so we'll just have to wait and see how he is."

While most Terras fans are expecting wholesale changes to the Terras line-up following Sunday's 4-1 hammering by the Magpies, Johnson is refusing to give too much away.

"I'm considering all my options," he said. "All I know is that another performance like that is simply not acceptable."