Somerset Eagles will be inspired when they lock horns with St. George' Colts on Boxing Day in First Division Dudley Eve Cup action, with a spot in the final at stake.

Eagles have been a side on a mission this term after dedicating their season and Dudley Eve campaign to their team-mate Gabriel Wilkinson who sustained serious injuries in a horrific accident while playing for the club back in October.

The Eagles goalkeeper suffered a fractured skull and swelling on the brain after he was kicked in the head during a 50-50 challenge and such was the seriousness of the injury that a decision was made to halt the game immediately.

Since that accident, Eagles have lost just once, notching four wins and a draw in their last six outings. That one defeat came at the hands of their Boxing Day foes, 1-0.

With a game in hand on table toppers St. George's and three points back, the match is setting up to serve as a psychological blow for the losers.

Defender Marcel Dill, who has been deputising in goal in Wilkinson's absence, believes his side will continue their workmanlike performances with their injured colleague in mind.

"It was pretty hard to deal with at first since we were all there and really worried about him when it happened, but he is doing a lot better now and he should make a full recovery with time," said Dill.

"He has a very positive attitude and gives good instructions from the back. I have been deputising in goal in his absence but Gabe is a big miss for us."

Eagles beat St. David's in a penalty shoot-out in their Dudley Eve clash on Sunday after the match had ended 1-1.

"The game was a hard fought contest, we both had our fair share of chances so I felt a draw after full-time was a just result," added Dill, who was replaced in goal by returning college student Tahj Bell.

"Our keeper pulled off a great save to deny Aaron Lugo's penalty after all of our spot kickers scored.

"Going into the Boxing Day game against St. George's will be just as difficult.

"In league play they beat us 1-0 so we will be looking to reverse that result.

"They will be playing at home in front of their home fans which will give them a lot of incentive to win but we will be up to the task."

The same rules apply for the First Division teams as those in the Premier Dudley Eve, which is a double-elimination tournament with the winners of Friday's matches advancing to the New Year's Day spectacle at St. David's while the losers will have to play one more game to get a chance to lift the title.

Both teams are expected to field students who are home for the holiday.

"We have a few quality college students like our keeper Tahj and Anwar Telford who were a big boost for us against St David's," said Dill.

"Having them back has helped boost our team as well as enabling us to rest a few other players like leading scorer Darin Dowling and veteran Jermaine Davis.

"Tahj and Anwar are back and with regulars like Rodre Wilson and Marlon Rohas, we are confident that we can come away with a good result.

"We also have Troy Tucker and Roger Lee from The Academy who will also help to carry us during the holiday tournament.

"I feel that whoever comes away with the win on Boxing Day has the advantage of resting players for a week before the final.

"It has already been a long season with the First Division having 11 teams so with winning on Boxing Day you get to rest while one team has to play two more games and the other team one more game to win the tournament.

"Either way we will be up to the task."

The First Division match kicks off at 12 noon while the Premier match between Boulevard and Dandy Town starts at 2.30 p.m.