Darren Gilbert is backing his Bodmin Town side to make inroads into the top six of the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League premier division after an injury-hit first two months of the season.

Bodmin, who were at home on Saturday to Wessex League division one side AFC Stoneham in the FA Vase first round proper, are eighth in the SWPL table and 17 points behind leaders Plymouth Argyle Reserves.

But they have only played nine league games, compared to Argyle’s 17, and Gilbert says there is a long way to go.

He told the Cornish Times: ’We have been ravaged by injuries this season and results haven’t been great, but I’ve told people at the club to be patient because things will improve.

’I knew that when we got everybody back from injury, we would be ok.

’Until last week I hadn’t been able to name the same back four from one game to the next, which is always disruptive.

’Now we have Jake Ash back to fitness and Max Gilbert’s also ready, so my options are increasing and we will settle.’

Gilbert has also strengthened his frontline by persuading goal machine Glyn Hobbs to rejoin Bodmin after spells with Plymouth Parkway and Tavistock.

Gilbert said: ’When we got in touch with him he wasn’t playing regularly, so he jumped at the chance to come to us. I was a bit surprised to get him to be honest, but delighted.’