FORMER assistant boss Andy Turrell returns to Portland United's squad for their Sydenhams Wessex League trip to Downton tonight (7.45pm).

The ex-Weymouth defender was unavailable for Saturday's opening day victory at Cowes Sports and is not guaranteed a starting place this evening.

Youngsters Jimmy Dailey and Dave Wallis, who filled in for Turrell and injured duo Alan Rodgers and Mark Carter in the centre of defence, received rave reviews from manager Nick Preston and are likely to keep their places.

Preston said: "With Andy unavailable on Saturday and Alan and Mark suffering with back and hamstring injuries respectively, it was a case of throwing the youngsters in at

the deep end. But both performed brilliantly on the day and were key components in our victory.

"It's good to have Andy back available and he's a very welcome addition to the squad. But I'd be hard pushed to justify any starting changes and so Jimmy and Dave will keep their places in the side."

Saturday's 1-0 success, which came courtesy of a David Laws' header, left Preston delighted and he's confident of another victory at Wick Lane.

"Downton are one of those teams who traditionally finish in the lower reaches," he explained, "and it's a game you look at as being one you really ought to win. If we play like we did over at Cowes then there's no reason we can't pick up three points and we'll certainly be playing an attacking game.

"When you've players like David Laws and James Reeve in your side then attack is the only sensible option although we won't be taking anything for granted.

"Fareham Town are one of the fancied clubs to do well this year and they were held to a 2-2 draw at Downton and they do have that slight advantage of a pitch that is covered in lumps and bumps.

"It's the sort of surface that takes a bit of getting used to and we'll need to concentrate right from the start. It was similar over at Cowes on Saturday and we coped okay with that."

Blues: Myers, Bews, Reader, J Dailey, Wallis, Evans, Whalley, Perkins, Laws, Reeve, Mason, Tizard, Turrell, L Dailey.