FA Inter-League Cup: Jersey's Craig Culkin puts faith in youth

Jersey Football Combination coach Craig Culkin says he will give younger players a chance in the quarter-finals of the Inter-League Cup against Dorset.

Culkin said Jersey had a talented generation of young players.

"If you see some of the things the younger players can do on the pitch and training ground, we've got a bright future," Culkin told BBC Radio Jersey.

"The only way we have to find out about some of these young players is to play them in these games."

The tournament sees amateur leagues from around the country compete for the right to represent England in the Uefa Regions' Cup.

Culkin, who also takes charge of the Jersey island side, added: "It's a gamble but by exposing them to better opposition it's going to bring them on technically and psychologically to go on and, we hope, win the Island Games in 2015.

"We really want to win this competition again."

Culkin's side have reached this stage courtesy of overcoming rivals Guernsey 3-1, before going on to beat the Devon and Exeter League 2-1.

The Jersey Football Combination side won the trophy in 2012.

"We're as well prepared as we can be, we try to prepare in the best possible way," added Culkin.

"We talk about ourselves as 'professional amateurs' and we've got a game plan. They beat us two tournaments ago at the same stage so it's a challenge we're relishing.

"It takes players out of their comfort zones, and you don't know the opposition's strengths or weaknesses. You have to adapt and cope on the day and we're confident in how we've prepared and if we can apply that on Saturday we're confident we can get the job done."