BASINGSTOKE Town manager Jason Bristow says that a tough run of fixtures throughout January will test his in-form side’s title credentials.

The Dragons sit third in the Vanarama Conference South table after winning all four of their games over the Christmas and new year period, with games in hand over all of the sides around them.

Starting with Saturday’s trip to Eastbourne Borough, Town face a run of six matches in the space of 27 days, including games with both of the sides currently above them in the table.

The first of those is on Tuesday, when second-placed Bromley visit The Soccer AM Stadium, while Town face a trip to current leaders Boreham Wood on the final day of the month.

Basingstoke manager Jason Bristow, pictured above, said: “It’s a huge month and we will really know where we stand in terms of what we can achieve this season once January is over.

“We want to make sure that our game at Boreham Wood at the end of the month is a top-of-the-table clash. We need to continue doing what we have been doing, which is defending well and creating a lot of chances, but our next three games are against really good sides.”

The first of those will see Town make the trip to Eastbourne to face a side they beat 1-0 in a hard fought game at The Soccer AM Stadium on Sunday.

The Sussex side made a really strong start to the season and while they have been out of form recently, winning just one of their last eight games, they made life difficult for Town at the weekend.

Tuesday’s visit of Bromley will be even tougher. Town know that they will move above Bromley and into second place if they can win both games, but the Kent side are unbeaten on their travels in the league this season and are in really good form.

“It’s a huge game for both clubs,” Bristow said. “Bromley are a fantastic side and their away form is excellent. They have some excellent attacking players, but do not concede many goals either.”

Games between the two clubs have been very tight in recent years, but Town can take heart from the fact that they won 3-0 when the sides met in Kent back in August.

For both games, Basingstoke will be without captain and centre-back Jay Gasson (broken toe) and midfielder Jamie Brown (groin), while Simon Dunn is set for a spell on the sidelines after injuring his hamstring.

The good news is that strikers Liam Enver-Marum and Manny Williams have recovered from knee injuries, while Lloyd Macklin and James Harper should recover from minor injuries in time to play.

The Bromley fixture is the first of four consecutive home games for Town, and supporters can buy a special ticket granting entry to all of them for £36, the standard price for three matches. For more information, contact the club office on 01256 327575.