If there was ever a need to start a winning run, then Andover are the prize candidates as their one-year tenure in London Division 2 South could be just that if they do not start putting together a string of results.

They have the ideal opportunity tomorrow, weather permitting, when, with players starting to return from injury, they take on visiting Old Mid-Whitgiftians at the Goodship Ground.

Midwives, who have reneged twice on trips to Gosport & Fareham in the last two years and have been weak when playing Portsmouth, could be ripe for the taking, but the hosts will have to do without coach Keith Mitchell at fly-half. His ankle is still two weeks from healing.

Murray Clash replaces the departed Matt Parks while Simon Tedridge comes in for the international-watching Craig Runciman in the backs, but the forwards remain unchanged, which comes as a huge relief for the injured coach.

"This is a must-win situation now," he said. "We have made a few changes and are only playing those who are fully fit because there is no point in risking those who are only half fit. We have players coming back so things are looking up."

Portsmouth's injury-ravaged squad has recovered slightly, which allows potent centre pairing Matt Gronow and Charlie Ross to return for the interesting clash against Wimbledon, from whom the club's forwards coach, Tim Herman, came when switching to Rugby Camp.

After struggling early season, Wimbledon have hit a purple patch, including the 47-16 thumping of Andover a fortnight ago and will be no pushover for the still-weakened Portsmouth.

Phil McCamphill is away on a Navy diving course so Anthony Lintern moves to the wing. Jamie McLaughlan comes in at fly-half and 'Rac' Ramshaw is preferred to the recovering Dave Thomas as they look to reintroduce the prop gently after his hour against Bognor.

Gosport & Fareham are boosted by the return of Navy recruits Chris Thompson and Andy Vance for the first time this season for the visit to fourth-placed Cobham. But they will have to do without the versatile Richard Daly and player/coach Sean Fanning and Harry Harrison.

They miss out having picked up injuries in the defeat at Worthing two weeks ago but skipper Simon Burns knows a victory will put some daylight between them and their opponents.

"We need to bounce back after the disappointment of losing at Worthing," he said. "It will be tough at Cobham because we both have the same points total but a good win will open up a gap at between us and them."

Winchester's topsy-turvy season could take another turn when they travel to second-placed Haywards Heath, but that does not matter one bit having already beaten Hertford and pushed Southend, the teams that sandwich Heath this season.