Could a £15m ex-Liverpool starlet be on the way to Moneyfields later this month?
The Southern League Division 1 South club have been drawn against AFC Bournemouth in the semi-final of the Hampshire Senior Cup.
Though the Cherries were drawn out first from the hat, they have agreed to switch the tie to Portsmouth on Tuesday, February 25.
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Hide AdCompetition rules state any player registered with the Cherries can play in the HSC as it’s a first team competition.
Eddie Howe could field an XI full of Premier League regulars against Moneyfields if he wished.
He almost certainly won’t do that, but in the last round at Money’s divisional rivals Sholing the Cherries did field Jordan Ibe in their starting XI.
Ibe was signed for £15m from Liverpool in 2016, but has not appeared for the Cherries’ first team since last August.
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Hide AdIbe grabbed Bournemouth’s last goal in their 4-0 win against Sholing from the penalty spot.
He was not the only recognised first team face to play in the HSC this season - Simon Francis played against Basingstoke Town in the previous round.
Last season, Tyrone Mings - now a full England international - appeared for the Cherries in the tournament as he was on his way back from injury.
Striker Jaidon Anthony netted twice at Sholing - as he had done in Bournemouth’s 8-0 caning of Basingstoke.
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Hide AdHe might not play against Moneys, though, as he has been loaned out to National League South promotion hopefuls Weymouth.
He could make his Terras debut in this Wednesday’s huge clash with fellow high-flyers Hawks at Westleigh Park,
Competition rules say that Anthony could play against Moneys if Weymouth are happy to let him - the Dorset club haven’t got a midweek league game that week - and Cherries want to play him.
Weymouth don’t have to agree to let him play, and Bournemouth can’t demand he play at Dover Road either.
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Hide AdThe either HSC semi-final sees Eastleigh at home to either Southampton or holders Hawks.
They are due to play at AFC Totton’s ground on Tuesday, February 18.
Competition rules state the club drawn at home can either switch the tie to their opponents’ ground, or choose a neutral venue.
Saints have taken up the latter option.
This season’s final takes place at Eastleigh’s Silverlake Stadium on Wednesday, March 25.
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Hide AdThat’s 24 hours before the Hampshire Senior Women’s Cup is staged at the same ground.
That will be between Southampton FC and the winners of the delayed Portsmouth Women v Winchester City tie.
After being postponed last week, that game is now scheduled to take place at Baffins Milton Rovers FC on Sunday, February 16.