LYMINGTON Town represent a potential “banana skin” for Portland United tomorrow (3pm), manager Kyle Critchell believes.

Lymington have collected only five points from 22 matches this season and sit bottom of the Velocity Wessex League Premier Division standings.

However, one of those points came in August away to Critchell’s men courtesy of a 2-2 draw.

And, while the Blues’ boss considers his side to be heavy favourites, he recognised a recent improvement in results for the Linnets.

He told Echosport: “You have to go in as heavy favourites.

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"It’s a potential banana skin, a difficult surface but they are struggling and have been all season.

“From a positive standpoint for them, they’ve started to pick up some performances and got their first victory a couple of weeks ago.

“They’ll be in better spirits but it’s a game we have to go with the intention of winning.

"What's important for us is to continue our development as a team. We’ve got a young side, so the game will pose a different threat to a side at the top end of the league.

“We’ll continue to learn and develop a way to win these games but, ultimately, when we get onto that pitch it’s going to be difficult.

“We’ve got a team fighting for their lives so we’re going to have to match that. Hopefully, if we do that, our quality will come through and get us the victory.”

Touching on the 2-2 draw earlier this term, Critchell added: “The two draws we’ve got have been from teams that are really struggling.

“We’ve definitely learnt our lesson with regards to managing and dealing with that.

“There’s no trepidation. The good thing about having young lads is that every time we come to a game, we expect to win but we have to do the basics first.”

Crit Clarke (ankle) and Ryan McKechnie (knee) miss out but Ben Morris returns. Greg Borthwick (groin) is still unavailable, while Toby Diaz has joined Bridport.