make an appearance in last year's FA Cup final against Boulevard.

That same injury refuses to go away and will keep him out of Sunday's showpiece as PHC seek to end their FA Cup jinx.

The injury has restricted the tough-tackling defender to just a handful of games in the last two seasons, though Douglas still has hopes of another comeback next season.

"It's healed about 75 percent but I'm not worrying about playing in the FA Cup,'' said the former PHC skipper this week. "Before Christmas I told the players I would like to finish the season on the sidelines. I'm finished for now but I don't know what will happen in the next four months. I'll see what happens over the summer.'' The injury, which Douglas first suffered against Somerset in the 1990 Charity Cup match, which the Zebras won 3-1, is taking a long time to heal completely.

It limited him to just a couple of appearances this season, the last being in the 2-0 home loss to Devonshire Colts on November 3.

"Because of the programme that PHC has it doesn't make sense to race back,'' said Douglas. "The other guys are doing a good job, so I can take my time.'' Despite losing to Southampton Rangers in the Friendship Trophy final and not having done too well in the cup competitions this season Douglas expects his team-mates to rise to the occasion on Sunday against Town, the team who plotted their downfall in the Martonmere Cup last October when they blasted them 4-0.

A lot has happened since then as the Zebras gained momentum to clinch another league title while Town had to settle for a mid-table finish.

"We owe Town something,'' added Douglas. "They took the cup from us in 1987.'' His own contribution will be limited to shouting encouragement from the sidelines, something he has gotten used to doing in the last two seasons. He has not missed a PHC game all season and was there at the stadium when Rangers beat them 1-0 in the Friendship Trophy final.

"They came out like PHC wanted to come out,'' Douglas said of Rangers' approach. "Even though they are going into the Second Division they are still a good team. That night PHC had nine or 10 players playing badly, though we had our chances.'' Top scorer Kyle Lightbourne is a leading choice for MVP this season but Douglas has another choice -- Mike Dill who has been the key figure in a defence which, along with North Village's, has conceded fewer goals than any other First Division team.

"Mike has done a great job being skipper and controlling them in the backline,'' said Douglas. "He hasn't missed a game and always puts in 120 percent.''