FRANKLYN Clarke insists Portland United are a “different side” to their three previous meetings with Bournemouth Poppies this season.

Clarke’s Blues have lost twice and drawn once against Poppies – two of those games coming in their FA Cup extra preliminary round exit.

Poppies now travel to the Camp & Satherley Stadium tomorrow (3pm) in Wessex League Premier Division action.

And Clarke is hoping to finally get one over on the Victoria Park side at the fourth time of asking.

He told Echosport: “We know a lot about them and obviously they know a lot about us as well. I feel like when we played them we didn’t have a fully-fit squad.

“We’d always had a good game. We drew at our place and they beat us twice at their place. I think we’re a different side now to what we were back then.

READ MORE: Cowes Sports 2-2 Portland United - match report

“The way we’ve been performing lately, I feel the least we should have got at Bashley was a point and we took Cowes to the 95th minute.

“Performance levels have been very good. I reckon if we do that again (tomorrow) we’ll get over the line. I’m looking forward to it.”

Portland are without midfield duo Josh Williams (unavailable) and Marcus Smith (suspended).

On Smith’s one-game ban for five bookings, Clarke said: “We’re missing two players, Marcus is suspended which is a big blow and (Williams) is away.

“With Marcus there’s nothing we can do. He’s picked up a few yellows and it’s resulted in a ban. No complaints about that really.”

With holes to plug in central midfield, boss Clarke could reintroduce himself to the line-up having sat out recent games.

He added: “We’ve got to have a look at it and assess it. Ideally, I’d like to give someone else a chance.

“We’ll see how we are fitness wise. There are two big players missing but I’ve got full belief in the lads that come in for those two.

“It’s not a situation we haven’t been in before this season, so we’ll just crack on.”

Portland’s reserves visit Hamworthy Rec in the Dorset Premier League tomorrow (3pm).