TOM Killick has opened old wounds ahead of Poole’s eagerly-awaited FA Cup clash at Salisbury after describing as a “tragedy” seeing Marvin Brooks perform at step four.

Brooks’s decision to quit Poole and drop two levels in the summer sparked a war of words between Dolphins boss Killick and his opposite number Steve Claridge.

Claridge accused Killick of "showing disrespect" to Salisbury after he had suggested the move had been motivated purely by money.

A key figure in Poole’s rise to National South, Brooks is expected to feature for Southern League West high-fliers Salisbury when the teams lock horns in the second qualifying round at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

Killick told the Daily Echo: “I think he was a brilliant signing for them and a big loss for us. He is a National South player, at the minimum.

“That is why it is a bit of a tragedy to see him where he is. That is no criticism of him or Salisbury but I just feel a bit sad to see him at that level.

“No doubt he felt it was the right move for him and I am sure he is enjoying his football because they are doing well.

“He must be looking at our results and thinking it was a very good move and I am sure Salisbury are delighted to have him.

“To have a player of that calibre leading your line in that league is a massive advantage.”

Brooks has netted five times for the Whites, including a hat-trick in their 8-0 drubbing of Shortwood five days ago.

He also played his part as they ousted Southern Premier Division outfit Farnborough in the first qualifying round.

Currently fourth in Southern League West, having lost in last season’s play-off final, Salisbury host a Dolphins team which has lost six of its past seven games in National South.

Killick added: “I think it is a good game for them. They are probably not under an awful lot of pressure to win because they are playing a team from two leagues higher. They have had good recent results and we have had bad ones, so they are full of confidence and we are lacking it.

“We have to try to put all that to one side. We have better players than Salisbury and that is why we are two leagues higher so we have to try to make that count.

“But it is not an easy fixture for us when we are in the situation we are in. From a mentality point of view, we would probably prefer to be playing a higher-ranked team and Salisbury will probably think it is a very good time to play us.”

Killick has a host of injury and suspension problems but has publicly thanked Cherries for allowing him to FA Cup-tie loan player Ollie Harfield.

Steve Devlin serves the first of a three-match ban, while Will Spetch (adductor), Shaun Cooper (groin) and Tony Lee (quad) are all doubts.

The winners will bank £4,500 in prize money.