Devonshire Cougars will be without Lejaun Simmons when they take on Young Men’s Social Club in an FA Cup quarter-final encounter at Devonshire Rec on Friday night (8pm).

Simmons, who last month made his long-awaited return from a ruptured Achilles tendon injury that threatened to end his career, is away on vacation. The 31-year-old utility player was one of the scorers when Cougars came from behind to overcome Wolves 3-1 in the first round at The Den on January 24.

In his absence, Kwame Steede, the Cougars coach, will count on the likes of Q'Shai Darrell, Chae Brangman, Mikiel Thomas, Elisha Darrell, Zari Simmons and Zeiko White to carry the day for the three-times FA Cup winners.

Last season, Cougars reached the semi-finals, where they eventually lost 3-1 to North Village. They will be looking to achieve the same this season, but have to clear Social Club first.

A 1-0 victory over league leaders Village at Bernard Park in their last league match should give Steede’s side the impetus to push for further progression in the FA Cup.

With four matches left in the Premier Division, both teams are sitting precariously in the bottom half of the table. However, with a spot in the semi-finals of the remaining knockout competition of the season at stake, this should serve as motivation for the two sides to put on their best displays.

For Social Club, a 4-2 victory over First Division side X-Roads secured passage to the last eight of the competition they last won in 1965.

Captain Ryan Parris, the Hardtman brothers, Josh and Mical Hardtman, are some of the players coach Michael Smith will look up to, as he seeks a spot in the last four of the competition.