HOOK and Newnham Basics captain Matt Love is set to return from a shoulder injury for the trip to Liphook and Ripsley in Southern League Division One on Saturday.

The skipper has yet to play this season and will certainly boost the top-order batting for his side.

Last season, Hook’s trip to Liphook proved to be a game to forget for the visitors as they were bowled out for 59, never recovering after they slumped to 20-5.

This was after they bowled really well and limited the home side to 180 on a good track.

So far this season, Liphook have won at Fawley and at home to Bournemouth, while Hook’s only completed game in the first four of the season was a loss at Hambledon.

Hook captain Love remains upbeat about his side’s chances and said: “We had a net last Wednesday and then did not play on Saturday, so at the moment we don’t know who is on form with the bat or the ball.

“I am looking for us to go there, play simple cricket and get the basics right. We know Liphook are looking fairly strong and I am expecting a very competitive game.”

Last Saturday, Hook’s visit from Fawley was a victim of heavy overnight rain at King George V Playing Fields.

The side have now lost their first three home fixtures, which means they now face the majority of their games away from home for the rest of the season.