CAPTAIN Lloyd Cranny could be handed a much-needed rest in tomorrow’s Magna Dorset Premier League Cup tie with Bridport Reserves (3pm).

Despite suffering with a groin injury, the Blues’ skipper has played through the pain barrier in recent weeks, helping Portland maintain their challenge near the top of the table.

Although keen to progress in the competition, island boss Stuart Heath admits he may give Cranny a chance to recuperate while his team-mates do battle at St Mary’s Field.

He said: “We may give one or two a rest as there are a couple who are carrying knocks, such as Lloyd Cranny.

“He’s been carrying a groin injury for the last three or four weeks so we will assess him and make a decision.”

Heath added: “We were entered into three competitions at the start of the season. We are out of the Dorset Senior Cup already so, although it was unlikely that we were going to win it, the league and the League Cup are very important to us.

“The league table shows we are underdogs for the title going into the second half of the season so the cup takes on added importance for us.

“It’s not going to be easy at Bridport as they are a good young side. They started the season well and then had a blip but they seem to have picked up again, so we are going to a team that is in form.

“In a cup tie you’ve got to turn up on the day and play to your potential. We’ve got the players to do that but Bridport will certainly give us a tough test.”

Bees: Cleal, Stordy, Day, Maidment, Pincombe, C Bulman, McAllistair, Fry, Herbst, Jones, B Clarke Blues (from): Carroll, Gifford, Wells, Cranny, Welch, Carter, Churchill, Smith, Coggins, Miles, Pattison, Godfrey, Marshallsay, Linaker, Etherington, Beades.

n Third-placed AFC Bournemouth travel to the Memorial Ground to take on Bristol Rovers (3pm) in Npower League One.

Meanwhile, Yeovil Town’s aim to record their first league win in almost two months against Peterborough United tomorrow has been thwarted by a frozen Huish Park pitch.