PORTLAND United boss Brendon King spoke highly of Brockenhurst manager Pat McManus ahead of their Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division contest at the Weyline Stadium tomorrow (3pm).

McManus guided the Badgers to a top-half position early in the season but, while results have since tailed off to leave the New Forest outfit in 12th, King’s respect has been earned.

And the former Weymouth boss, whose side sits in third, is looking for his side to show their true colours after a 4-3 home defeat to Solent University in midweek.

The Portland manager told Echosport: “(Brockenhurst) had a really good start to the season.

“The last few games they’ve slipped down the league, but they were right up there.

“They’re a funny side and have a good mix of experience and youth, the manager’s done really well over the last two or three seasons.

“He’s been blooding youngsters into it and had a little bit of success. You know what you’re going to get with them.

“They’re going to be fit, competitive and organised so it’s a great game for us to show what we didn’t do on Tuesday night.”

Max Buckler (hamstring) will be assessed, but Ryan McKechnie (shin) is out.

King added: “There are little niggles, little knocks. We’ve played a lot of football but we’ve got no more midweek games now until the New Year. It gives us time to recuperate.”