IAN Saunders doesn't mind admitting he is not looking forward to Winchester City’s FA Trophy tie on Saturday.

The Citizens boss anticipates “a strange experience” when his old club Petersfield Town come calling in the preliminary round.

After gloriously leading Petersfield from Sydenhams One to the Southern League, Saunders ended his four-year Love Lane affair in late July when he replaced the departed Paul Masters at Winchester.

His former reserve boss Andy Neal took over at short notice but, with the Rams struggling in Division One Central, Neal parted company with the club last week.

Asked if Saturday would be a 'special' occasion, Saunders said: “I’m not sure special's the right word. It’s going to be a strange experience.

“My focus is purely with our lads and of course I want Winchester to win, but I’ve still got a hell of a lot of feelings for my old club.

“They’re going through some upheaval, some of which has been attributed to me, which is a bit disappointing.

“I like Andy, he was an excellent reserve team manager for me. He had his chance to be first-team gaffer and, at the moment, it's not worked out for him.

“I understand there might be an appointment before Saturday. I just hope we’re not victims of 'new manager syndrome'.

“I’ve never won a game in the Trophy, so it would be nice to break that duck.

“I just want to get it done and dusted and get back to league action.”

Sadly for City, lion-heart skipper Jamie Brown is out for ten to 12 weeks having broken his foot in three places.

Offsetting that was a fine debut for new midfielder Andy Jenkinson who scored twice in Tuesday’s 3-2 Southern League Challenge Cup win at AFC Totton.

Brown himself was influential in getting the ex-Reading youngster on board from Chippenham having played with him at Basingstoke.

“We’ve promised Browner as much support as we can and hope to see him back in a Winchester shirt when he’s recovered,” said Saunders.

“Andy was very keen to come on board. He’s a technically gifted midfielder who wants to get on the ball and play and that suits the way we do our business."

Ex-Petersfield duo Howard Neighbour and Joe Briggs return on Saturday and centre-back Ross Bottomley will hopefully shake off a hamstring twinge.

Defender/midfielder Adam Tomasso also missed Tuesday with a slight ankle problem, allowing young Joe Hayward to come back in.