FOCUSED Stuart Heath has identified tomorrow’s curtain-raiser against Ham-worthy Recreation as an early gauge of his side’s credentials.

Portland United entertain the reigning Dorset Premier League champions at Grove Corner (3pm) with renewed optimism following a productive pre-season campaign.

After losing several players to Weymouth and Chickerell United, the Blues have bolstered their ranks with the likes of Nick Etherington, Adam Linaker and, most recently, Richard Marshallsay.

Despite being only the opening fixture, boss Heath admits tomorrow’s island showdown will reveal much about how his charges may fare this term.

He said: “I thought Hamworthy Recreation were the best footballing side last season and deserved to win it. By all accounts they have strengthened their squad and they will be favourites again.

“But I know from experience that retaining the title is harder than winning it once. There will be four or five teams looking to challenge them and we hope to be one of them.

“We want to be in the mix to win trophies again, and the performances and fitness levels in pre-season have been encouraging. The squad is much more settled than it was this time last year.

“This is a big game so early on but if we want to be challenging Hamwor- thy then these are the ones we need to be getting a good result in.”

However, Heath has been rocked by setbacks to Jimmy Dailey and Matt White, who could both miss the entire season having been diagnosed with cruciate ligament damage.

Dailey underwent an operation last week and White is poised to do likewise in a fortnight’s time – but each operation is expected to necessitate a recovery period of up to nine months.

Jamie Sibley is also injured, and Steve Churchill and goalkeeper Nick Carroll unavailable, meaning Wayne Gifford will don the gauntlets for his first competitive appearance since joining from Milborne Sports.

Blues (from): Gifford, Wells, Cranny, Charles, Carter, Smith, Miles, Coggins, Godfrey, Linaker, Etherington, Beades, Marshallsay, Patterson, Austin, Conning.