Can Guernsey retain Muratti Vase in Jersey?

Guernsey won the Muratti Vase for the first time since 2017 last year [BBC]

Guernsey manager Dave Merris says his side will be fully focused on their Muratti Vase clash with Jersey - despite having potential distractions elsewhere.

Many of his squad will be involved in Guernsey FC's delayed Southern Combination Premier play-off final next Saturday.

But Merris is confident his side will not let that divert their attention as they look to retain the biggest prize in Channel Island football when they travel to Springfield on Saturday.

"Obviously we've had a few issues with the Guernsey FC scenario, so that's put a little bit of a delay on training," Merris told BBC Radio Guernsey.

"But we've had a good week-and-a-half of training now so we're looking good. To be fair to the lads, they've been really focused on getting one game out of the way at a time.

"So we've focused on the Muratti this week, or the lead-up to this since the semi-final - and then as soon as the Muratti's finished, they'll switch straight back over to GFC mode and all preparations for the final."

• Impressive Guernsey beat Jersey to win Muratti Vase
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• Jersey beat Guernsey in extra time to retain Muratti Vase

Jack Cannon takes charge of his first competitive game for Jersey since last summer's Island Games in Orkney [BBC]

For Jersey's squad, the aim is to not lose back-to-back games against their biggest rivals for the first time in 12 years.

Many of manager Jack Cannon's squad have been part of the Jersey Bulls side that finished third in Isthmian League South Central this season - the division above Guernsey FC.

They were beaten on penalties in their play-off semi-final, but are without influential defender Luke Campbell, who is suspended, and attacking talents Miguel Carvalho and Rai Dos Santos, who are unavailable.

"I would have liked to have them involved, but we've just got to move forward with the players we've got," Cannon told BBC Radio Jersey.

"We've got a very strong squad, there's going to be a few good players missing out on selection as well so we're in a much different place to last year.

"But the expectation last year was to win the game, so nothing's changed."

Cannon, Jersey's most-capped Muratti player, has yet to win the title as a manager after a debut defeat at Victoria Park last year.

He is keen to put that right in his first game in charge on home soil.

"I'll be honest, as a player it didn't make any difference to me whether it was home or away," he added.

"Obviously the crowd makes a difference, but I think it's just treating the game like any other game and going out to win."

Merris, who plays with many of his squad as part of Guernsey FC, is aware of the challenge that will face Guernsey - they have not won on Jersey soil since a 4-1 victory at Springfield in 2014.

"It's always going to be difficult," he said. "It's an absolute honour to hold the trophy at the moment, and we know how difficult it's going to be over in Jersey.

"But the same kind of ethos, same mentality, as we had over here in Guernsey and hopefully that will be enough to get us over the line."