WOOTTON Bassett captain Tim Gallimore is targeting next weekend’s clash with Alchester for his return.

The back-rower, who has been out of action since mid-January with a broken and dislocated finger, is expected to be given the green light to make his comeback when he sees a specialist on Tuesday.

Gallimore has only missed one match over the course of his six-week lay-off due to a flurry of postponements and he, like the rest of his teammates, is champing at the bit for a taste of competitive rugby again.

“One more week and I’ll be back I think,” he told the Advertiser. “I’m back at the hospital on Tuesday and I’m hoping that will be the all-clear then.

“It is frustrating. With the weather I’ve only missed the one game so far so I’ve been quite fortunate there, but all the guys are just desperate to get playing again.

“I did it in the first game back in January - the Wallingford game. It’s crazy we’ve only played one game since then.”

Should Bassett’s Ballards Ash facility survive another series of downpours, Milton Keynes are scheduled to visit in Southern Counties North on Saturday.

When asked whether or not the pitch would be fit for purpose, Gallimore said: “I hope so. I think it’s still going to be touch and go with the rain, we’re still not training on the pitches so we’re just hoping we can get a game in on Saturday.

“Training is going well. It’s all indoors, it’s all gym work and it’s beneficial but it’s not ideal. You’ve got to be out there at some point with ball in hand but most teams are in the same boat.

“The problem is the games we miss have to be played at some point. Already the backlog of fixtures we’ve got are going to take us through the scheduled end of the season.”

Elsewhere in the division, Swindon College Old Boys host Alchester as they continue to search for their first league victory of the campaign.