HUNTS Copse is preparing for the visit of Big Ron' Atkinson tomorrow when Supermarine host ambitious Halesowen Town.

The former Manchester United manager is football consultant' to Halesowen chief Morrell Maison and is expected to take his seat for the Southern League clash.

Atkinson, of course, was last seen in Swindon as part of the ill-fated Big Ron Manager' fly-on-the-wall series for Sky One.

He arrived, again in a consultancy capacity, to work with then-Town boss Iffy Onuora.

However, the experiment didn't work out, Atkinson moving on to film the series with Peterborough.

Marine manager Mark Collier sat next to Atkinson on a recent scouting trip to the Midlands and is relishing the chance to compete against of the game's most colourful characters.

He said: "Big Ron has been at Manchester United, Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday and Athletico Madrid, so for us to be pitting our wits against one of his teams is great.

"If it raises the profile of the Southern Premier League and of Swindon Supermarine then great.

"More and more managers are finding it difficult to get jobs at the top level now, so you have some high-profile names coming into non-league football.

"But my players have to remember, we are not playing Ron Atkinson, we are playing Halesowen Town."

Halesowen are without a win in five matches, but the presence of several ex- Premiership stars in their squad means Marine should take nothing for granted.

Ex-Scotland and Sheffield United striker Paul Devlin is a regular starter for the Yeltz, who also boast ex-Spurs midfielder Darren Caskey and former Villa marksman Shane Paul.

"They've all played at the top level before and my players are looking forward to competing against them," said Collier.

"Their manager came in from Kettering and brought three or four on loan with him too, so we know they have quality.

"Whether they still have the desire to play at a higher level again, who knows?

"We don't have the luxury to sign that sort of player. We want lads who give everything."

Marine skipper Kyle Lapham is still sidelined with a hip injury, while strikers Mark Draycott and Ashley Edenborough are doubtful.

Richard Kear, who has two goals in two starts, and Nathan Lightbody should start in attack.

Halesowen could include Eldon Maquemea, 23, after the Portuguese forward was given international clearance to play following his arrival from Swedish club Boden.

Meanwhile, Collier is still in talks to bring in another striker and could make the addition before tomorrow's kick-off.