PORTLAND United kick off their home schedule for 2017 with a tough encounter against AFC Portchester at Grove Corner on Saturday (3pm).

The third-placed Blues take on a Portchester side that sit fifth in the league table at present.

The visitors are one of three sides that have applied for promotion to step four of the non-League structure for next season, along with Blackfield & Langley and Moneyfields from the Wessex League.

“People are tipping Portchester to go close this year and they have applied to go up, so they have high ambitions as well,” island manager Bailey told Echosport.

“We are expecting a tough test but it’s one we are looking forward to.

“We are close in the league with very similar records. It has all the makings of hopefully being a very entertaining game.”

He added: “Our record against the top sides, or the sides in and around us in the league, has been very good this year.

“They seem to bring the best out of us and hopefully that will be the same in this game.”

Jamie Beasley is still banned for the Blues and Bailey will wait to see if Eastleigh will call on youngster Tom Bearwish for their FA Cup third round tie at Brentford this weekend.

Goalkeeper Sean Lillington could return after missing out at Lymington in midweek with a thigh strain.