SALISBURY City are missing their two main strikers for tomorrow's FA Cup first qualifying round tussle against Taunton Town at Old Sarum.

Former Saints reserves hitman Adam Wallace is still on the road to recovery from a broken toe and the irrepressible Leigh Phillips sits out a one-match suspension.

Although Phillips has yet to recapture the scoring form that saw him crowned the country's top FA Vase marsksman with Lymington & New Milton last season, Whites boss Nick Holmes is in no doubt about his value to the side.

Holmes described last Saturday's 2-2 draw at Eastern Division title tips Tonbridge Angels as "one of the most physical Dr Martens games I've ever seen" and the ex-Saint felt it was thanks to Phillips that Whites stood up to the test.

He said: "Physical games don't always suit us, but it was nice to see that we were the ones who came strong at the end. We withstood the barrage and a lot of that was down to Leigh being out there. He stood his ground and didn't let himself or his teammates get bullied out of it.

"It wasn't the best game he's played in football terms, but just having him out there was a plus. He's got an inner strength and attitude that a lot of professionals would love to have.

"He's a winner when the ball's around him and he's full of life and a very popular lad in the dressing room."

Phillips' absence could open the door for Whites' new 22-year-old signing Aaron Turner, who struggled to get into Dorchester Town's first-team having been a regular scorer for the Magpies' reserves and for his previous club Wimborne.

Whites are also without defender Scott Bartlett, who suffered cracked ribs in the bruising battle at Tonbridge, while passionate assistant manager Tommy Killick serves the last of a seven-match touchline ban after three run-ins with referees last season.

Holmes said: "Tom has to stay behind the barriers, but you can hear him shouting from there. It's still really difficult for him not to say something to the referee!"

Andover - home to Sussex League Arundel - may be on the verge of letting former Bashley, Winchester City and Weymouth striker Michael Jackson go - just weeks after signing him.

Manager Howard Goddard revealed: "Bashley are interested in him and I've informed the player and left it to him. If Michael's heart is set on going to the Southern League, I can't do much about it."

Wessex leaders Winchester City expect to welcome top gun Andy Forbes back from shin problems for their trip to Metropolitan Police, but defender Kieron Hall is on crutches with a foot injury.