PORTLAND United boss Brendon King anticipates a difficult surface at Cockrams as the Blues prepare for their Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division scuffle at Shaftesbury tomorrow (3pm).

Weather permitting, Portland are likely to face a Rockies’ side boosted by ties with Dorchester as striker River Smith and midfielder Oli Lowes are among the north Dorset team’s ranks.

However, central midfielder Luke Winsper is set to miss out for Shaftesbury with Dorchester expected to recall him.

King told Echosport: “It’s always tough when you go to Shaftesbury. Obviously we’ve got a load of rain coming in and I don’t think they played last week on it.

“I think it cut it up a bit, so hopefully some of this rain eases off.

“For us, we know it’s going to be a hard game.

“They’ve got some good players and will be organised.”

King’s men are unbeaten in the league away from home since October 1 – a 3-2 loss to Christchurch.

“We don’t get the luxury of playing on surfaces like we have at home,” King said.

“When you go to places and you know it’s going to be heavy, it’s going to cut up, you’ve got to sometimes change the way you play.

“If you go away from home you’ve got to have a battle and that’s what I’m expecting.”

Luke King and Crit Clarke are suspended but midfielders Alex Halloran and Jamie Beasley return.