JASON Matthews insists Billy Lowes will be in the Terras’ squad when they host Hitchin Town on Saturday (3pm).

The former Poole Town midfielder was expected to extend his month-long stay at Wimborne Town this week but was named as a surprise inclusion in the Weymouth squad that lost 3-0 at Slough Town on Tuesday night.

With Dean Evans set to start serving a two-match ban this weekend, Matthews is looking to add competition to his squad by keeping Lowes in the mix.

He told Echosport: “Billy is going to stay with us and will be in the squad on Saturday.

“He is raring to go and we are pleased he is back with us.

“Billy has been superb and is still only 19 years old.

“I need competition and a bit of hunger and I need that to continue.”

Weymouth will look to bounce back against a Hitchin side eyeing the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division crown this season.

Having won nine out of their last 10 league games, the Canaries currently sit third in the table, five points behind leaders Chippenham Town with two games in hand.

“Hitchin are going really well and are up for the title but it gives us a good chance to bounce back after getting steamrolled on Tuesday,” Matthews added.

“I need to see a performance with a lot of desire.

“People are definitely playing for their futures at Weymouth Football Club now, I need a positive reaction after Tuesday night’s defeat.”

On the injury front, he added: “I think it’s still a week too soon for Mark Cooper and Ben Thomson and Chris Shephard is still struggling. We go into it a little bit light with Dean suspended as well.”