PORTLAND United may have to wait until next Wednesday to see whether they will be crowned Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division champions, should they beat Bemerton Heath Harlequins at Grove Corner on Saturday (3pm).

The Blues are currently two points behind leaders Moneyfields in the table at present – Moneys however, are waiting on a verdict to their appeal over a three-point deduction, after fielding a suspended player back in January.

Should the deduction be sanctioned by the FA, and the Blues overcome Bemerton on Saturday, they will be crowned champions in their first season back in the Premier Division.

Portland could even claim the title at the weekend, regardless of the hearing, if they beat Bemerton and Moneyfields lose at home to Newport (IOW).

The FA are yet to respond to contact from Echosport about the situation.

Confirming details of the hearing to Echosport, Wessex League competition secretary, John Gorman, said: “Until that hearing is heard, we can’t even make any sort of arrangements to try and present the trophy.

“The last thing we want as a league is to give somebody something and have to take it back again.

“We can understand the position both clubs are in, in slight fairness to the FA, the season is not supposed to end until April 30. We made a conscious decision that we would get our fixtures finished by April 23.

“We regret it as much as anybody but we can’t do anything about it.”

Reacting to the news, Blues’ boss Gary Bailey added: “I think the league are as frustrated as we are, to be honest.

“It’s not ideal but our focus has to be on trying to win the final game. At the end of the day, if we don’t manage to do that, it could all be immaterial anyway.

“I don’t want this to be a side bar that detracts us from trying to finish the job off.

“We will try our best to get our job done and then the powers that be will make the decision when they make it.”

Portland’s Ross Doidge will be assessed on a hamstring injury ahead of the game with Bemerton.

Darren Watts is set to return to the squad after missing out on the 2-0 win over Team Solent on Tuesday.