MIDFIELDER Sam Roberts believes underdogs Salisbury have enough quality to "do a job" on Gloucester City in the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday (3pm).

Whites are expecting a healthy-sized crowd at the Ray Mac for the visit of the Vanarama National League North high-riders in the second qualifying round.

Boss Steve Claridge saw Gloucester beaten 3-1 at Tamworth last week. But, since that defeat, the Tigers have sealed back-to-back league wins over Altrincham and Telford, scooting up to sixth in the table.

"It's a massive game," beamed 21-year-old youth team graduate Roberts, who scored a rocket in Salisbury's 4-4 Southern One South & West draw against Bideford last weekend.

"Hopefully I will start. I feel like I'm playing well, but I don't know if I'm 100 per cent fit yet,” he confessed.

"In pre-season I went on holiday for two weeks which killed it a little bit, so I didn't get as much game time as the other lads.

"I feel strong and hopefully the gaffer picks me.

"It's good opposition, so it will be a tough game and very tight in the middle.

"As a team, we need to be a bit more solid at the back as there were a few mistakes out there last Saturday. With the right formation and players, we'll do a job."

Salisbury have secured the loan signing of young Portsmouth goalkeeper Alex Bass for another four months – with the added bonus that he will be available for FA Cup games.

“It’s great news,” said boss Claridge. “Alex is a top young keeper and we are delighted to have him here until the New Year.”

However, Bass’s Pompey clubmate Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain, brother of ex-Saint Alex, has decided against returning to Salisbury for another month.