PORTLAND United are set for a “tough task” at Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division rivals Tadley Calleva tomorrow (3pm), according to assistant-boss Mark Carter.

Tadley have strengthened during the summer and now boast familiar faces in former Portsmouth striker Rowan Vine, plus ex-Weymouth goalkeeper Jack Martin.

Last season the teams were almost inseparable, with 2-2 and 1-1 draws in the league and a further 2-2 scoreline in the Sydenhams League Cup, which led to the Blues winning 4-3 on penalties.

As a result, Carter, affectionately known as Reggie, is expecting a difficult mission.

He told Echosport: “We had good games with them last season and they have strengthened this season. In the last couple of weeks they’ve (had) quite a few players sign on.

“They’re a tough side to play against on their own patch and they had a good result midweek, they beat Portchester in the League Cup – Portchester are one of the favourites for the league with the side they’ve assembled.

“We’re going to go there with a tough task, so we’ve got to better with our defending. We’ve gifted goals this season and that’s something we’ve got to stamp out of our game.

“We know we can go up the other end and score goals, but we’ve got to be resolute defending, go back to doing right things and be hard to break down.”

Max Buckler and Sean Stewart miss out, but Jamie Beasley returns.