Deans eye Vase upset... Royals wary of Reds in derby

The visitors have already battled their way through two rounds.

But the Sussex side will present their toughest test yet.

Birmingham is under no illusions as to the difficulty of the task.

He has watched the opposition twice and has been impressed with them.

‘They are a very good side and are in good form,’ said the Deans boss.

‘All the pressure will be on them and it is a knockout game so anything is possible.

‘We will go there and play our football and see where that takes us.

‘For a team that had the guts ripped out of it at the start of the season we have done well.’

Birmingham is boosted by the return of some key players.

Luke Heard and Ian Humble are back from holiday.

Charlie Walker returns after missing out due to work and Robbie Tambling is back from injury.

In the Wessex League premier division AFC Portchester and Fareham Town go head to head at Wicor Rec tomorrow (3pm).

The Royals have made a disappointing start to the season, largely down to injury problems.

Graham Rix is starting to get some players back and that has shown in the last week.

A good 0-0 draw at Bemerton was followed by a 4-1 home win over Hamworthy United.

But the Fareham match will provide a challenge for them.

The Portchester boss knows his side will need to play well.

He said: ‘We are slowly getting there.

‘Hopefully the players can take confidence from the last couple of results.

‘Derby games are rarely easy though.’

There is chance the home side could have central defender Gary Moody back in the frame after a month out with an ankle injury.

Joe Noakes and Josh Warren are still suspended.

League-leaders Moneyfields take on lowly Hamworthy United at Dover Road (3pm).

Dave Carter is confident his side can get the victory.

‘I am looking for us to push on between now and Christmas,’ said the Moneys boss.

‘This is the sort of game we must be looking to win if we want to finish top of the league.’