TENBURY Town marksman Mark Boucker has compared himself with Uruguayan and Liverpool marksman Luis Suarez - without the bite.

Boucker is expecting to miss some pre-season training because he is having a knee operation next week.

“Mark Boucker is going for a knee operation next week and he has the same problem which Suarez had before the World Cup,” explained Town manager Bob Sumner.

“It took Suarez just three weeks to get back in action after his operation and that’s the same timescale that Mark is hoping for.

“It’s not often you can compare a Tenbury Town player to a World Cup star like Suarez – but I don’t think Mark has the bite.”

Town are holding their first pre-season training session next Tuesday at Palmer’s Meadow, starting at 7pm.

Sumner will be in the host seat for Town’s second season in Herefordshire League Division Two.

He is hoping to sign a couple of new faces for the campaign.

“I went to watch my brother who plays for his works team on a Monday night and there are a few lads from Cleobury who seemed interested in training with us.

“I don’t think they play for a team on a Saturday and I am hoping that one or two of those will fancy coming to play for us.”

Meanwhile, former Wellington skipper Dale Withers has given Tenbury United a boost ahead of their Herefordshire League Premier Division bow.

“Dale Withers has confirmed he is coming back for a second season,” said United joint-boss Nick Stocker.

“ There were question marks over whether Dale was coming back but we have spoken to him and he’s very excited about the new season.”

United are training tonight (Thursday) at Palmer’s Meadow, starting at 6.30pm.

“We had 15 players at our first training session and we still have a few people missing,” said Stocker.

“Aaron Morris and I will be running the team again this season but there is space for a non-player to come and assist us. We have asked before for someone but nobody has come forward.

“Lee Millichip is keen to play, following his marriage, and we are hoping that he will sign on for us for the new season.

“Lee is the best centre forward at the club but we also have the young stars like Ian Patterson, Ashley Giles and Kurt Pardoe.

“Mike Foster has got a problem with a knee and we are awaiting to hear the full extent of the problem. “

Stocker added: “Ideally, we could do with recruiting an experienced centre-back to play alongside Aaron Morris. We played Sam Williams there last season but his natural position is in midfield and we would like to push him forward in the new season.”