TOP scorer Adam Linaker will miss Portland United's Dorset Senior Cup first round clash with Sturminster Marshall tomorrow (2.30pm).

The striker, who has netted eight goals in six games this season, sustained a hamstring injury in the 6-1 victory over Bridport Reserves last weekend and is also attending a wedding tomorrow while his team-mates take on Marshall at Grove Corner.

But Blues' boss Dave Kiteley is more than happy with Linaker's intended replacement. He said: "Adam has a hamstring injury but would not have been able to play for us if he had been fit because he's going to a wedding.

"He's had a great start to the season and is scoring a lot of goals, but we've got a good replacement in Matt White who has been the club's top scorer for the last two seasons."

The islanders reached the final of the Senior Cup last season but lost out 2-1 at the Jewson Stadium to Toolstation Western League Premier Divis-ion outfit Sherborne Town.

And Kiteley is hoping for another cup run this term.

He added: "We did really well in the competition last year. It was a tremendous achievement by the players and we did the Dorset Premier League proud in the final against a good Sherborne side.

"It's nice to have a good cup run as winning games breeds confidence."

Despite winning five of their six league fixtures this campaign, Kiteley has previously expressed his concern at below-par performances from his men, but has now highlighted the problem as a result of inconsistency in team selection.

He said: "A lot of it comes down to consistency and we've not had a settled side this season. Our best performances came in our opening two games when we were able to name an unchanged line-up.

"Last week was a disjointed performance. At the end of the day, at this level, unavailabilities are something you have to deal with, the main thing is that we're getting results."

Kiteley could be forced to make more changes tomorrow as keeper Paul Gadsby (heel) is a doubt while John Lamb is absent through work commitments.

But in come skipper John Litherland, following a calf injury, and Alex Halloran. Carl Mutch will deputise in goal should Gadsby fail in his fitness race.

Blues (from): Gadsby, Mutch, Sharpe, Dailey, Perkins, Cranny, Litherland, Doidge, Marshallsay, Jones, Whyton, White, B Simmonds, Halloran, King, Austin.