GUERNSEY’S quest for European football faces its next hurdle at the Track tomorrow night. The island’s Sure Mobile Priaulx League representative side goes head-to-head with the Gloucestershire County League in the second round of the FA National League System Cup.

Guernsey’s supporters are being urged to support the lads en masse and create a great atmosphere back at the traditional home of Guernsey football, where many of the top stars prefer to play.

Scotland will know their European Championship fate by the time Guernsey kick-off at 6pm – about the same time that England start praying Israel can upset Russia.

The only injury doubt ahead of last night’s final training session was skipper Matt Warren with a foot problem.

Warren, fresh from his New York Marathon exploits, has now served his suspension after being red-carded in Guernsey’s extra-time victory against Jersey in the last round, but rates his chances of playing as only 50:50.

But he is desperate to play.

‘It could be a strained muscle and could be a stress fracture worst-case scenario. I will give it a go tonight and see how it holds up. I have been looking forward to this game for ages. I had this pencilled in my diary as the next game back and I’m really hungry for it,’ he said.

Guernsey coach Steve Ogier will name his side publicly later today after having announced it to the squad last night.

But he admitted Guernsey would miss Warren if he lost him to injury.

‘He gives us that drive and energy from midfield – that is his strength. He would be a loss but there are other players who can step in,’ he stressed.

‘We will see how he goes tonight and he may need a fitness test on the day,’ he said.

Ogier knows little about the opposition but expects them to be a similar standard to the teams Guernsey faced when they last played in and reached the semi-final of the competition two seasons ago.

‘It was not as high as full county standard and is a touch below,’ he said.

‘I’m optimistic and we have a good chance of winning at home. They are quite a big county and have a lot of guys to choose from. Hopefully we can perform.’

‘If we perform to our capabilities we have every chance and all the lads are looking forward to the game,’ he said.

Ogier is hoping for a decent sized crowd to spur on his team.

‘The Track and a good crowd does make a difference to the boys – the more support we get the better for the lads.’

He said the one-off Muratti remains the priority but the Systems Cup is next.

‘The prize at the end of this is representing England in Europe and we were maybe unfortunate not to beat Cambridgeshire two years ago. We are not thinking too far ahead but know there is a nice prize at the end of it. We are just focused on Saturday’s game.’

Northerners centre-back Paul Page, 23, received his first senior island call-up from Ogier last Saturday morning to replace Naro Zimmerman, who is three months too young to play in the competition.

‘I’m pleased to be called up, maybe a little surprised. I think I have been playing reasonably well for North. It’s unfortunate for Naro because he is too young, but good for me,’ he said.

‘I was shocked to start with and I was not expecting it but I’m happy.’ said Page,

The trust administrator for Fortis Reads International Management Ltd does not expect to start tomorrow evening and believes Bels’ pair Sam Cochrane and Leighton Chainey will be the chosen centre-backs.

‘I expect to be on the bench and if I get to play hopefully I can keep my place. As long as I keep playing reasonably well for North hopefully I will do. North is my priority but anything after that is a bonus,’ he said.

The NLS Cup was created with the intention of finding a winning league representative side to fly the flag for England in the Uefa Regions Cup.

Competition is strictly for ‘amateur’ players who must not be, or have been under a written professional contract at any time in their career.