WINCHESTER City’s summer strike signing Sam Wilson faces a race to be fit for the start of the Evo-Stik Southern One South & West campaign.

The former Salisbury marksman, last season’s Sydenhams Premier golden boot winner with 40 goals, twisted his ankle in Tuesday’s 2-1 friendly win at Fleet Town.

“Sam could be out for three weeks,” admitted manager Paul Masters. “We’ll see how it goes, but he could miss the start of the season.

“He was injured in a bit of a tackle at Fleet. It’s a shame because he was probably having his best game for us.”

With star striker Warren Bentley now at Gosport Borough, Winchester are desperately thin on the ground up front as they continue their friendly programme at Brockenhurst tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm).

In all likelihood they will be spearheaded by former Brock player Rudy Plummer, one of the shining lights of pre-season so far.

Plummer, who briefly played for City under Masters’s predecessor Neil Hards, has had a nomadic career with Fareham, Moneyfields and Whitchurch among his many ports of call.

But there are signs he may be ready to settle.

“Rudy was a bit hectic before when I came back to the club to work with Hardsy, but he’s been one of our most consistent players in pre-season. He seems a bit more composed,” said the boss.

“I can only take it from what I’ve seen so far and Rudy has come in and done well. We’ll be looking to keep him on board.”

The same goes for young centre-half Joe Hayward, the pick of a handful of young trialists from Eastleigh.

Hayward lifted the second-year scholars’ trophy at Eastleigh’s end-of-season awards and has impressed Masters with his composure.

“He defends well, looks composed on the ball and looks a good, young talent,” he said.

“He’s not played too much competitive senior football and he’s got to learn that side of the game.”

Weekend friendlies -

Friday, July 22: Eastleigh v Poole Town (7.45pm).

Saturday, July 23: AFC Totton v Sholing, Baffins Milton Rovers v Blackfield & Langley, Bashley v Kettering Town, Brockenhurst v Winchester City, East Preston v Romsey Town, Gosport Borough v Bognor Regis, Hamble Club v Petersfield Town, Hythe & Dibden v Balti Sports, Moneyfields v Salisbury.