SUSPENDED SENTENCE: Gary Bowles

DORCHESTER manager Shaun Brooks has vowed to stand by Gary Bowles after the defender was convicted of grievous bodily harm.

The 19-year-old appeared at Taunton Crown Court on Wednesday and received a two-year suspended sentence, as well as being ordered to pay a £1,000 fine, following an incident in Yeovil on June 22, 2007, while Bowles was a Yeovil Town player.

But Brooks, although not happy with Bowles' actions, is determined to help the player move on.

He said: "No way do we condone what he did, he's held his hands up and hopefully we can help give him a career in football.

"He's been fantastic around the club and I've not seen the other side to him, I want to help bring out his best side.

"It's a serious charge and he's had to pay the price but we want to stick by him."

The Magpies visit Toolstation Western Premier League side Sherborne Town tomorrow (3pm).

Brooks is expected to name his strongest squad, but will have to do without Mark Jermyn who faces a long period on the sidelines after picking up a knee injury against Portsmouth on Monday night.

The county town boss added: "The lads need another 90 minutes under the belt. We want to work hard and put in a good performance, as the season is just two weeks away.

"I'll take a squad of about 16 or 17 players. The first choice XI pretty much picks itself so it's up to the other players to earn a place in the team.

"Mark's injury is quite serious. The MRI scan came back and showed a medial ligament tear so he could be out for up to three or four months, which is really unfortunate."

Another player suffering with a knee problem is trialist Bill Puckett.

Brooks said: "Bill has had an X-ray and there is no broken bones but there is damage to the outside ligament of his knee.

"We will wait for the swelling to subside and hopefully he'll be scanned in the next couple of days."

8:44am Friday 25th July 2008

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