Portland United striker Greg Borthwick has been dubbed 'exceptional' after hitting two goals on his return to the starting line up. 

The Blues frontman has missed several games following the birth of his first child but returned to Shaun Bessant and Josh Hickman's side last weekend. 

Portland ran out 3-2 winners over Laverstock & Ford in the Wessex Premier League and Borthwick grabbed a brace in the process.

The striker has now netted six goals in seven starts for the Blues earning praise from joint manager Hickman. 

Hickman said: "Greg was exceptional on Saturday (against Laverstock).

"You know what you get with Greg, he has the ability to stretch teams  and he is also a clinical finisher.

"We have missed him these last few weeks, our game plan is based a lot around what Greg and Pat do so it is great to have him back.

Borthwick is six goals off the league's current top goal scorer Brett Pitman, the former Portsmouth and Bournemouth ace has netted 12 goals in 10 starts so far this campaign.

However, Hickman believes that Borthwick has every chance of getting amongst the league's top scorers this season. 

He added: "He certainly can, he has been up there for a few seasons.

"There are some really good players in this league and Greg is one of them.

"He has the ambition to be at the top of the records but at his age, he know also understands that the team comes first but he wants to score goals and that is good for us."

Borthwick will be hoping to add to his tally as Portland welcome Downton to the Camp and Satherley on Saturday.