BRIDPORT boss Paul Hammond said he might have to dust off his boots for tonight's Toolstation Western Division One clash at Portishead.

The Bees are woefully short of players that can make the 6.30pm kick off in Somerset and that has prompted the manager to unearth his shin pads in readiness.

The trip to Bristol Road was postponed on April 25 after Bridport had refused an early kick off and the option to play 40 minutes each way with a five-minute half-time interval.

However, the two clubs could not come to an agreement over a new date and the Bees have been forced to accept an early start or face a hefty fine from the league.

At the beginning of this week Hammond had just eight players that could get to Portishead on time for the first whistle.

"I am very concerned about what we are going to turn out on Thursday," said Hammond. "I know it sounds dreadful but I really might have to play."

He added: "Simon Austin is not available, Martin Peters is still not available and Andy Hall can't make it. From Saturday's squad it looks like Andy Thornton and Chris Senior might not be able to get there in time.

"Nick Carroll is definitely not available and neither are Tony Cunningham or Tommy Coggins. Ben Clarke is a 50/50 if he can get off work in time. So we really are struggling. I am hoping we can get 11 starters and then after that anything can happen."

Bridport defeated Portishead in the Les Phillips Cup back in August and held the promotion hopefuls to a 1-1 draw at St Mary's Field in March.

They refused the offer of a Sunday fixture with the Bees in preference of a midweek clash and with two games left of the season need victory for automatic promotion.

Three points from tonight's game will lift them above Ilfracombe Town and into second spot.

Bees (from): P Hammond, F Hammond, Underhay, Conning, Ritchie, Jackson, Gale, Wise, Skinner, Clarke, Mead, Jones, Bulman, Wetherby, McClements, Churchill, Cummings, Thomas