PORTLAND United’s Sydenhams Football League Cup semi-final clash at home against Horndean “is massive” for the Blues, says boss Brendon King.

They face the Deans, who are close rivals in the league, at 7.45pm tonight at the Weyline Stadium.

King said: “It is a semi-final, you have got to be wanting to play in the semi-final of a cup, it gives you an opportunity to get into a final, possibly silverware on the end of it.

“So it is a massive game for us. We just hope that we have got some players to play.”

Portland have struggled for numbers of late, with numerous injuries and suspensions currently hounding the Blues.

This has led to call ups from the reserves, for players such as Sol and Manny Roche who both came off the bench during Portland’s 2-0 win at Alresford Town at the weekend.

King said: “We have worked hard all year, we have been training since the start of July. These are the things that you play for, it gives you opportunities to play in big matches and this is a big match.”

Portland had players playing with injuries on Saturday, while some players came off tight.

King admitted: “We are going to have to total up and see what we have got.”

The last time these two sides faced, Horndean came away with a 3-2 victory at the Weyline Stadium, but this only avenged a 2-1 win that the Blues claimed earlier on in the season at the Deans.

To reach the semis, the Blues beat Team Solent 4-2 in the second round, before edging Tadley Calleva 4-3 on penalties.

It was smooth sailing in the quarter-final however, with a 5-3 win over Portchester.