NEIL Hards reckons returning midfielder Lloyd Webber is one of a handful of Winchester City players who should treat tonight's Hampshire Senior Cup final at AFC Bournemouth (7.30pm) as a showcase for their talent.

Although the Wessex champions start as rank outsiders against an Aldershot Town side standing on the brink of regaining Football League status, Hards knows plenty of his squad are capable of impressing watching Shots boss Terry Brown.

Webber, back from a seven-day suspension, has already won the county cup from the position of underdog. Four years ago he and City teammate Matt Bicknell were members of the Andover side that shocked hot favourites Havant & Waterlooville on an extraordinary night at The Dell.

The towering 24-year-old had a brief taste of Conference football with Woking three seasons ago, but his game has blossomed back at Winchester where he was outstanding in last season's FA Vase triumph.

Webber's presence was sorely missed on Saturday when City made a potentially fatal slip in their defence of the Wessex crown, drawing 3-3 at home to Bemerton.

Hards admitted: "It's good to have him back. Lloyd's been massively important in everything we've achieved. He gives us spark and can conjure up something out of nothing.

"But Lloyd's not the only player who could catch the eye. We've got half a dozen in that calibre who can put themselves in the shop window. Everything's there for them at Bournemouth. We're playing on a nice surface in a nice stadium against the best non-League side in the county. It's an opportunity the lads shouldn't pass up."

With a play-off semi-final first leg at home to Carlisle to focus on next Monday, Shots are unlikely to field a full-strength side, but at least seven regulars are expected to feature for the north Hampshire club who have lifted the county trophy for four of the last six seasons.

Young defender Brett Johnson is almost certainly ruled out after breaking his nose on Saturday, so veteran Ray Warburton may deputise.

Brown is also likely to rest midfielder Steve Watson, who has had a groin injection, plus former Basingstoke striker Tim Sills, hero of Saturday's play-off clinching win over Scarborough.

Winchester's squad is so small these days that Hards doesn't have the luxury of resting players ahead of Saturday's cliff-hanging conclusion to the Wessex title race when City must beat Brockenhurst at home and pray that league leaders Lymington & New Milton drop points against Gosport.

Veteran midfielder/defender Gary Green is still on holiday and Graeme Gee and Rob Chamberlain are both cup-tied.