PORTLAND United boss Callum Brooks has backed his squad to recover from Saturday’s 8-1 thumping at Baffins by defeating Whitchurch United tonight (7.45pm).

Portland begin their Sydenhams Wessex League Cup campaign in the first round, looking to take their first victory in all competitions this season.

Whitchurch were themselves on the wrong end of a goal-fest scoreline this term, losing 8-2 to Bashley in the FA Cup extra-preliminary round.

With Whitchurch second-bottom of Wessex Division One and Brooks eager to thrust returning players into the mix, the Blues remain confident despite Saturday’s result.

“I don’t think we’ll be too bad,” Brooks told Echosport.

“I don’t think confidence will be too bad. I’m putting a demand on us to get a victory, knowing it will set us up.

“It’s a game, if we get some players back, we should win.

“We’ve got an opportunity to win a game which gets us up and running.”

Sam Clarke, Alex Halloran (eye) and Adam Grange (ill) are doubts.