WILTSHIRE under 18s will be hunting an FA County Youth Cup quarter final place when they go head-to-head with last year's beaten finalists Birmingham at Melksham Town on Saturday, December 2, kick off 2.30pm.

Birmingham, who won the competition in 2000, will provide Mel Gingell's side with their toughest test since the former Chippenham Town boss took over the county youth team reins in the summer.

Their squad includes a host of youngsters from Third Division Kidderminster Harriers and Nationwide Conference high-flyers Nuneaton Borough. Players from North Birmingham College, which runs a football academy, have also been drafted in for the trip south.

Wiltshire manager Gingell has added three names to the squad that hammered The Army 5-0 in the second round.

Midfielders Danny Allen and James Blastland, of Forest Green Rovers and Cirencester Academy respectively, have been called up, while hotshot Jason Walsh of Chippenham Town will bolster the Wiltshire front line.

But Wiltshire will be without their influential skipper Kevin Banks, who is currently serving a suspension, and Gingell has yet to name his replacement.

Gingell knows his side face a tall order in their quest for a last eight place, but believes his side still have every chance of upsetting the odds.

He said: "Everybody is saying we are the underdogs, but that makes it easier to fire up your squad.

"If we end up losing, Birmingham will know they have been in one hell of a battle, but I've no reason to believe we are going to lose.

"Up until now we have done okay, but this is the big test. It will give us the platform to see how far we have to come if we are going to reach the final.

"I'm expecting them to be good. They are probably the best county side in the country and their catchment area is four counties.

"But I think we have a really good squad and I hope a lot of people will turn out at Melksham to see how good these boys are."

The Wiltshire boss admitted the loss of Banks, who netted twice in a 3-2 first round win over Dorset, is a real setback.

He said: "That is a massive blow because he is one of the cogs of the team and the captain. But you have to get over it and Blastland will do his job in midfield."

Birmingham, who are unable to select players under contract at the numerous professional clubs in their catchment area, set up the third round date with Wiltshire with a 3-0 success over Sheffield.

County secretary Dave Shelton is looking forward to the trip.

He said: "We have had a great run in the Youth Cup over the past couple of years and we will be looking to do well again.

"I don't think we've played Wiltshire before so they will be an unknown quantity. We are not aware of the area and it will be a difficult game for us.

"But it is always nice to meet up with new people and visit new places."

Wiltshire squad: Luke Gorman (Amesbury); Gary Banks, Neil Grant, James Highmore, Jason Walsh (all Chippenham Town); James Blastland (Cirencester Academy); Ashton Turner (Devizes Town); Danny Allen (Forest Green Rovers); Andy Sandell (Malmesbury Vics); Jason Grubb, Gordon Smith, Dave Macey, Alex Young (all Melksham Town); Matthew Mallett, Dan Wilding, Steve Marwood, Kevin Thick, Paul Traies (all Salisbury City); Richard Knox, Daniel Jell (both Swindon Supermarine).