Former Portsmouth captain Michael Doyle had a 'little chuckle to himself' as Notts County FA Trophy draw takes him to familiar Hawks surroundings

But the former Pompey midfielder insists there will be no laughs on the field at Westleigh Park as he is all too aware of the 'tough' test that awaits the National League side on Saturday.

Doyle, who captained the Blues to the League Two title under Paul Cook in 2016/17, became quite familiar with Hawks during his two-year Fratton Park stay.

The 39-year-old played at Westleigh Park in a couple of the annual pre-season friendlies between the sides and also trained at the ground on occasions.

Since leaving PO4 in July 2017, Doyle has kept an eye on Hawks - particularly so after dropping into non-league with Notts County two seasons ago.

And the Magpies' captain will be warning his team-mates of the tricky task they'll face against Paul Doswell's division lower side.

Doyle said: ‘There was a little chuckle to myself when I’d seen we’d got them in the next round and thinking of Portsmouth because I was familiar with Havant.

'Funnily enough, it’s a team I have kept an eye on playing down in the National League.

‘Last year I saw in the National League South how they done and they were unfortunate to miss out in the play-offs.

'It’ll be a tough game.

‘You’ve only got to look at some of the players they’ve got down there to know they kind of mean business and they want to get promoted.

‘I’m sure they’ll fancy a good cup run and I’m sure we’ll have our hands full.

‘Ideally, for us, it would have been great for us to get a home tie and not travel, but that’s the way it is.'

Doyle has also come across Hawks boss Doswell previously in his playing career.

During his spells with Pompey and Coventry, the midfielder faced his Sutton side in pre-season friendlies.

Doyle added: ‘Obviously being aware of Paul Doswell with the job he done at Sutton - he took them on a great cup run.

‘I’ve had brief chats with him, he’s a good fella, I’ve kept an eye on them since dropping down into non-league and saw how close they came last year.

‘They’re coming off the back of not playing for a few weeks with this break that’s been called, so I’m sure they’ll be looking forward to the game.

‘For us, as well, it’s about getting the momentum, we’re on a bit of a run of winning games, so we want to keep that going.'

Notts were beaten in the Trophy semi-finals in 2019/20 by Harrogate, the tie not taking place due to the pandemic until last September. Last season’s final - Harrogate v Concord Rangers - has yet to take place.