JACK Allen is set to make his Great Wakering Rovers debut as the Isthmian North club complete their campaign at Dereham Town tomorrow.

Goalkeeper Bobby Mason, who has impressed between the sticks since making the move to Burroughs Park, is suspended after being dismissed in the defeat to Maldon & Tiptree last week.

And Steve Butterworth, who was confirmed as player-manager on a permanent basis after enjoying a successful stint in interim charge, believes 17-year-old Allen is ready to make his first start.

“I am going to play Jack in goal,” said Butterworth.

“He came all the way up to Mildenhall Town a few weeks ago because Bobby was having trouble with his back and we didn’t know if he would play.

“Bobby played in the end and Jack wasn’t even on the bench, but he has helped us a lot in training.

“He hasn’t let us down and it’s a great opportunity for him at 17.

“Jack played in a friendly for us earlier in the season, but that’s totally different to a league game and it will also show that the door is open for the youngsters coming through the system.”

Wakering and Dereham, who are 14th and 15th in the standings respectively, are only separated by goal difference.

Defeat could see Wakering finish the season as low as 17th and Butterworth is eager to make sure that does not happen.

“A win would see us stay in 14th, but we could finish in 17th with a defeat and other results not going our way,” he added.

“Hopefully we can finish the season on a high.”