PORTLAND United could increasingly look towards youth as the season wears on, Blues’ manager Franklyn Clarke has revealed.

Portland are already guaranteed in the Wessex League Premier Division for the 2022/23 season and host top-five side Horndean at the Camp & Satherley Stadium tomorrow (3pm).

However, injuries within the Portland camp, together with safety being assured, mean Clarke could try out his best young talent in the remaining four games.

One example of youth promotion has been Hayden Scott, the 16-year-old having scored twice in three games for the first team.

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Clarke told Echosport: “It’s more of an opportunity to have a look at the young lads who’ve done well in the reserves, give them opportunities that they’ve earned.

“We’ve played Toby Diaz the last couple of games at left-back and when Harry (Hutchinson) went to Poole it was either bringing someone in, shuffle the pack or do we use the pathway?

“We’ve done that and he’s been really good.

“It’s an opportunity with these four games to give the lads an opportunity to impress, which Hayden has certainly done. He’ll be in contention for a starting place.”

Clarke also expects a better performance from the Blues after being beaten 6-0 by Horndean in the reverse fixture.

He added: “When we played them at their place we weren’t prepared for what came that day, they were much better, more physical and imposed themselves on us.

“We didn’t respond to it and I don’t see the same happening. We’re a better side than what we were then, even with personnel missing.”

Ben Morris (ankle), Joel Hewitt (leg) and Liam Sayers (knee) are out, while Josh Williams (ankle) could return.