WELLINGTON will be hoping some of their 'wounded warriors' will be back in action for the home game against fellow strugglers Truro in Regional Two South West on Saturday, September 30 (2.30p.m.).
Wellington had a number of players missing from Friday's Somerset Cup quarter-final at Burnham, including vice-captain George Hodgson who has been out for five weeks with a knee injury.
"He’s naturally frustrated because he cannot play," said Wellington's head coach Graham Dawe. "Johnny Clist only managed ten minutes against Burnham before he limped out of the tie - also with a knee injury.
Among other first team players sidelined last Friday were Mikey Taylor and Liam Phillips, while skipper Danny Lee was not selected after being shown a red card in the previous weekend's game against Tiverton which Wellington lost 66-10.
Wellington lost 40-38 at Burnham to virtually the last kick of the game. Dawe said: "They scored early on and it was very much a game of catch-up rugby. We scored four tries in the second half and it looked like we were going to win what was a good encounter. But they managed to score at the death. Considering the number of players missing the players can be proud of the way they played.
"I don't want to say the match against Truro is a must-win game because it would put the lads under added pressure. But I know they will do the best they can."
Wellington have lost their last four matches and have not won a game since they beat Teignmouth 20-15 away on October 19. Since then they have not been able to field anywhere near a full-strength side. When they can they have shown they are capable of competing against any side in the division.
They gave leaders Topsham a 20-point start but stil managed to get within four points of them in the second half.
Talented second row Jack Richards could also be in line to play his first match of the season.
Meanwhile, Wellington 2nd XV return to action after a fortnight's enforced break when they play away to their Bridgwater & Albion counterparts who are lying second in Counties Three Somerset South.
Wellington are also having a good season under captain Andrew Bellamy and are lying third in the table.
WIVELISCOMBE also return after a blank Saturday when they play away to Redruth 2nd XV in Counties One Western West. Wiveliscombe are fourth in the table with six wins from nine fixtures while Redruth are two places below them, having won five of nine matches.
Wiveliscombe 2nd XV, who top Counties Four Somerset South with a 100 per cent record after seven games, are home to second-placed Burnham on Sea 2nd XV in the division's Match of the Day.