BASINGSTOKE Town fans will be hoping for an early Christmas present of three points, when their side face a National League South basement battle at the Camrose against visiting St Albans on Saturday (3pm).

The visiting Saints climbed out of the relegation zone on Tuesday night, thanks to a 3-2 win over Maidenhead United.

A result which leaves Town six points adrift at the bottom of the table, with just two wins to their name.

Town manager Michael Gilkes is hoping injured midfielder Simon Dunn, will back for the visit of St Albans having missed the narrow loss at Dartford.

Town have already faced Saturday’s visitors earlier in the season and were soundly beaten 3-0, but a lot has changed for both teams since this game including both now having new managers.

Gilkes said: “When we last played them they deserved to win and losing 3-0 will add extra spice to the game this weekend. We have to make sure this time around we deserve to win and take the three points which would be great ahead of our best Christmas schedule and give everyone at the club a real lift.”

Following on from the St Albans visit, Town travel to Sutton United on Boxing Day and then they are back home on Monday, December 28 when Hayes and Yeading travel to the Camrose.

The Dragons then have a third home game in the space of three weeks, when Sutton United visit on January 2.

Gilkes is hoping to have midfielders Glen Southam and Jamie Brown back in the line-up over the Christmas period, as both returned to training following injuries this week.

At the moment only club captain David Ray is set to miss the whole of the festive period.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s game Gilkes said: “We had them watched on Tuesday night and once I have read the report I will decide the best formation and players to get the job done. The players now have to roll up their sleeves up and make things start to happen. We have a good squad of players and I am sure we can turn this around, but we have to do it sooner than later.”