Pope today thanked team-mates and fans fo the outpouring of emotion over his horrific head wound.

The diminutive winger suffered a gashed scalp after being caught with a shin pad in Sunday's defeat at Abbey Youth OB.

He was taken to hospital in ambulance and received nine stitches.

But he was back at work today and said: "I'm not feeling too bad. Luckily it didn't brain my damage.

"Everyone's been so nice, it made me well up. God bless everyone."

Pope is expected to have at least two weeks on the sidelines. He may return with a special protective mask or, failing that, just a scary Halloween one.

BBFC welcome back Ian Pope for the trip to Ridgeway Robers Seniors -just three weeks after suffering an horrific head wound.

Top-scorer Si Scott is also set to return from a hamstring injury while long-term absentee Fran Jones (ankle) is also back.

Poos and Marley are unavailable but Bob and Lizard return after a few weeks off.

A win would put BBFC into the last 16 of the Middlesex Junior Trophy.