PORTLAND United manager Franklyn Clarke hopes his young side will “grow” from their FA Cup tie with Bournemouth Poppies tomorrow (3pm).

The Blues host Poppies at the Camp & Satherley Stadium looking to better last season’s extra preliminary round result, when Clevedon beat Portland 1-0.

And Clarke believes FA Cup football for his talented squad will add to their “experience” of the senior game.

He told Echosport: “Hopefully we can get a positive result for the club.

“(Poppies) are a good side, they’ve just won 4-1 so they’ve got goals in their team. It makes for a good contest.

“It’s a nice occasion for the lads, it will be a good experience for them.

“That’s what it’s all about.

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“Our aim is to help these young lads, get them to improve and the more they do that the better for the team and club.

“It’s another experience that we’ll grow from.”

Blues’ captain Ryan McKechnie and Oli Lowes return but Lewis Clarke (calf) is a doubt.