PORTLAND United boss Brendon King believes the Blues’ meeting with fellow high-fliers Horndean at the Weyline Stadium is the pick of tomorrow’s Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division games (3pm).

Second-placed Portland tackle Horndean in third with just two points separating the sides but King’s men did earn a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Deans in October.

Preparation for the game has been as normal, the Blues managing to train on Tuesday night despite the postponement of their battle at Lymington Town due to a waterlogged pitch.

King told Echosport: “If we win we’ll be five points in front of them after they won (4-1 at Andover New Street). There’s two points in it with a game in hand.

“If they win they put more pressure on us. It’s got the hallmarks of being the stand-out game in the league. Hopefully we get a few up there and see two good sides go at it.”

He added: “It’s going to be a tough one, they’re a good side, have good players and have had some good results.

“We beat them up their place but it was really close. They’re going to be wanting a bit of revenge, so it should be a good game.”

Ed Bastick, Shaun Bessant and Alex Godfrey are in contention after gaining more minutes in the Blues’ reserve side on Saturday. Stephen Walker returns from unavailability.

King said: “That’s 18 players to choose from, so it’s a nice headache.”