PORTLAND United manager Simon Browne is expecting a hugely different competition against Team Solent when they face them away at Test Park in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division.

In their last encounter Portland were comfortable 6-1 winners back in August, with Ryan McKechnie getting a brace.

Blues boss Simon Browne said: “I think they’re going to be a hugely different competition to the team that came down and lost 6-1 on the first day of the season.”

Portland have no injury concerns but Sean Zima is unavailable and Jamie Beasley will miss out due to a suspension that he picked up against Hamble.

The side will be heavily changed for Solent to the one that played in that defeat to Portland United, as Browne explains: “I remember speaking to the manager at the time and saying that they were short on players because of the university commitments.”

Browne is wary of the side, who have been on a good run of form of late having only lost one of their past five games which was a big 4-0 on Monday.

Browne said: “I was speaking to a couple of managers who have played them since and said they were a hugely different side now, much more potent in attack. So it will be a good test for us.”

Portland meanwhile have been on a mixed run of form with two wins, one draw and one loss in their last four matches.

Last time out the Blues got a late draw 2-2 draw at home against Hamble Club, having been 2-0 down at half time.

On Monday the Blues added Jake Richmond, a former Weymouth Reserves manager as assistant manager to Browne.

Browne said: “It’s nice to have somebody with a bit of experience of managing at this level too be alongside me in the dugout.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing how that works.”