Paul Doswell views Tuesday Night’s Hampshire Senior Cup quarter final against Southampton Under 23’s as a great distraction from league matters.

With the Hampshire Cup the last cup competition the Hawks are left in, he feels the game is a chance for his players to play with freedom and give the opportunity for one or two players who haven’t had regular game time a case to get into the starting XI.

The Saints made the semi-finals of the competition last season in their first appearance back in the cup, whilst victory would see the Hawks go within two games of becoming the first side in the competitions history to win the cup three years in a row and only the second to win it three times consecutively (with two of Southampton Reserves’ three titles coming either side of the First World War).

Knowing their quality and strength, Doswell will field a strong side for the encounter.

He said: “We are playing against a Premier League Under 23’s side and I’m aware of them because of my connections down at Southampton and they are going to be putting out a very strong side.

“From that point of view I’m looking forward to the game on Tuesday Night, the majority of the team from Saturday will be playing on Tuesday Night which is important because they’re all fit to play.

“We’ve also managed to get Bedsente Gomis and Simon Walton back into the squad as well because they’re now available, and importantly we will see Adam Parkes make his debut for us.

“It’s been a low key signing but it has been an excellent signing, he’s very highly rated at Watford as their Under 23 goalkeeper – I’m really looking forward to seeing Adam play because it is important that we have a good backup to Ross.

“I’m also hopeful that we can have another potential loan signing which we’re trying to get ready by Monday and if that’s the case we will be able to give that lad his debut on Tuesday as well.

“Chris Paul’s going to play as well, I’m really looking forward to seeing Chrissy play and two or three like that who have been on the bench the last couple of weeks, but in the main it will be a strong side again.

“There’s plenty of things to look forward to and we will be putting out a strong side, I think we need to because Southampton will be strong opposition and it’s a good chance for us to keep our good form going, we haven’t lost in six now.”

As much as the league is the full focus of the Hawks boss he know the lads can play with a bit more freedom tomorrow night with no league points up for grabs.

“If I’m being honest at the start of the season I had little consideration for the Hampshire Senior Cup because we had too many other things for ourselves to worry about with the FA Cup and FA Trophy and the league, which clearly takes precedent over everything, I wouldn’t risk a player Tuesday if he was suffering a strain or whatever.

“Most of the 13 or 14 who came through Saturday have no problems, and players would rather play football than train – so this week is playing against Southampton on Tuesday then training on Thursday, I think players would rather play a game than train.

“The shackles will be off a bit because there’s no pressure on the game, so it’s a nice game to play and it’s better to play a game than train – there are benefits to it (the Hampshire Senior Cup).”