GARY Bailey is set to monitor a number of his squad’s slight injury concerns before the start of the Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division campaign.

But the Blues’ boss is still confident that those carrying niggles will not be out for a lengthy period of time.

Ross Doidge (groin), Gareth Will (ankle), Max Buckler (groin), Chris Clarke (groin) and Ed Bastick (dead leg) are all slight injury concerns. Jamie Beasley (neck) and Tom Richardson (groin) also didn’t travel with the squad for their 4-3 win at Pagham on Saturday.

Speaking about the minor injury issues in the camp after the game, Bailey told Echosport: “It was a strange old game, it was a really hot afternoon and we came away with quite a few little niggles.

“A few had to soldier on but hopefully it’s nothing long term, it’s just the exertions that pre-season puts on your body really. I don’t think it will be anything that keeps someone out for a lengthy period of time.

“I don’t think anything is going to jeopardise them being fit for the start of the season.”

The Blues capitalised on an error in the Pagham defence to make it 1-0 early through Carl McClements but, despite Portland controlling proceedings, the hosts made it 1-1 five minutes from the break.

Following the interval, the Blues failed to really get going and went 2-1 down to a long range effort.

But Bailey’s side battled back and got their reward. An Alex Halloran free-kick from the angle drifted into the corner to make it 2-2.

Island keeper Ashley Weeks then saved an effort from the penalty spot to keep Portland on level terms and the Blues were awarded a spot-kick of their own which Halloran converted to put his side ahead.

That was not the end of the drama however, as a defensive lapse from the kick-off allowed Pagham to make it 3-3.

But up stepped Ashley Smith with a late winner to make it 4-3 to the Blues in the dying moments.