BLUES’ chief Gary Bailey is looking forward to pitting his wits against former Terras’ boss Brendon King tomorrow, as Portland United host Hamworthy United at Grove Corner (3pm).

King took over the Hammers at the beginning of November and his side currently sit 14th in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division.

Portland went into the Christmas break in fifth spot and Grove Corner boss Bailey is hoping tomorrow's contest can kick-start the second half of their campaign.

“With it not clashing with Weymouth and Dorchester and it still being a bank holiday, hopefully, there will be a few people wanting to get out, stretch their legs and watch a game of football,” he told Echosport.

“It’s a game we are looking forward to. It’s nice to play over the festive period.

“Brendon is a friend of all of ours and a friend of the club. He is well known to everybody around here and it should generate a bit of interest.

“He has only been there a little while, he is still finding his feet and is sorting himself out up there. He has steadied the ship and will bring a bit of resilience to them, for sure.

“We know it will be a tough test and they will be up for it. One thing Brendon does is get his teams up to play.”

On the injury front for the Blues, defender Ross Carmichael faces a fitness test on a tear to his hip flexor muscle picked up a couple of weeks ago. Max Buckler should return to the squad after a back problem and Alex Halloran (ankle) could be in contention to return.