OWEN Irish could be in line for a Bridgwater Town debut against Wellington tonight (Tuesday).

Following the departure of Ross McErlain, the Robins are in need of a centre-half and have moved to snap up the experienced defender on dual registration terms with Taunton Town, who Irish rejoined earlier this month.

Town are hopeful the forms will be submitted in time for Irish to make his Robins bow against Tim Legg’s struggling Tangerines.

Legg, who played Southern League football for Bridgwater, is still searching for his first win in charge of Wellington having taken over from Clive Jones in October.

That winless run sees Wellington sit second bottom of the Western League Premier Division but Bridgwater co-manager Dave Pearse insisted his side would not be complacent.

“It won’t be easy - I know Tim well and they will be tough and well organised,” Pearse said.

“It is a banana skin for us, a local derby under the lights, and we will have to turn up with the right attitude.

“We will pick an attacking line-up and I am confident that if we play like we can we will get the right result.

"If we win, it will be three wins from four so maybe the situation isn't as bad as some people have made out.

"It is a very tight, competitive league and any team who goes on a run can put themselves back up there.

"Having lost a couple of players, there is a sense now among the squad that we have to stick together."

A large contingent of former Robins could be in the Wellington side - Ian Bellinger, Carl Jones, Josh Champion, Jake Horsey and George Sinnott all started in the 2-0 defeat against Bitton on Saturday.

McErlain, meanwhile, put his departure down to "not enjoying his football."

The defender said: “I’ve decided to leave BTFC for a few different reasons.

“I wasn’t enjoying my football and felt I needed a change. I’m disappointed that it didn’t work out but that’s football.

“I’d like to thank everyone at the club for the last six months and wish all involved the very best for the remainder of the season and beyond.”

Town are, however, set to retain the services of winger Jake Llewellyn in light of rumoured interest from Mangotsfield United.

In fixture news, Bridgwater Town’s home match against Clevedon Town will now be played on Friday, January 31 (7.45pm) after both sides agreed to move the date forward.