Striker Todd returns as US Portsmouth face mouthwatering Wessex League trip to fellow promotion hopefuls Bemerton Heath

Andrew Todd, left, returns to the US Portsmouth squad for Tuesday's Wessex League Division 1 trip to Bemerton Heath Harlequins. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

The 37-year-old was unavailable for the impressive 3-0 weekend win at Newport IoW which saw Baffins Milton legend Tyler Moret replace him up front and score on his debut.

US boss Glenn Turnbull is delighted with his forward options as US face a busy few weeks in three different competitions.

As well as Wessex League Division 1 games, they face Bournemouth Poppies this weekend in the FA Vase and have a forthcoming midweek trip to Andover Town with a place in the semi-final of the Wessex League Cup up for grabs.

Looking ahead, Turnbull said: ‘The next few weeks will be about balancing the squad.

‘We’re playing two games a week between now and the end of November.

‘Sweeney (Todd) is a physically fit 37-year-old but playing two games a week, plus training and doing his day job, would take its toll on anyone.

‘We’ve got options now we’ve brought Tyler in, and he’s invested heavily in what we’re aiming to do already.

‘There’s Dec Seiden, George Root, Brodie Spencer has come in the last couple of games and played up top.’

US were top and Bemerton third when last season was abruptly halted, with both clubs looking good for promotion.

A James Franklyn hat-trick gave US a 3-0 home win over Bemerton in a game where visiting dangerman Justin Bennett was sent off for violent conduct.

It was a rare off-day for the Gosport Borough legend, who scored 47 goals in 33 league and cup appearances in 2019/20.

He has already struck 11 times in nine matches this term.

Wing-back Josh Hazell is also back in the US squad for the trip to Salisbury after recording a negative Covid test result.

Frankie Paige and Owen Haly both came through 90 minutes for the reserves at the weekend, but Harry Bedford, Elliott Turnbull and Dan Sibley remain injured and John Cass is suspended.

Bemerton have only played five league games so far - three fewer than US - with their weekend game at Ringwood abandoned due to bad weather with Harlequins leading through a Kane O’Keefe goal.

US Portsmouth Ladies host Moneyfields on the 3G at HMS Temeraire on Tuesday in the Portsmouth & District FA Senior Cup (7.30pm).