PROMOTION remains the priority despite Salisbury's progress in the FA Vase, according to boss Steve Claridge.

The Whites chief has reiterated that winning the Sydenhams Premier Division and gaining promotion to Step 4 takes precedence.

But, at the same time, Claridge sees no reason why the league and cup double cannot be done, writes Joel Holt.

Speaking after Sunday's 3-0 victory at AFC Dunstable, which took Salisbury through to the last 16 of the Vase, he admitted: "If you said to me do you want the Wessex League or the FA Vase, I'd take the Wessex League every day.

"We want to progress. We want to be a club that people talk about, a club that is on the map.

"We are going to put this club back to where it should rightly be. The longer we stay in the Wessex (League) the more difficult that becomes.

"I've never been a manager that believes you need to go out of the cup to win the league. I never have as a player.

"I cannot remember losing a game and feeling good about it."

Whites are one of four teams - AFC Portchester, Andover Town and Blackfield & Langley - to have put themselves forward for promotion.

Subject to ground inspections, the highest-ranked finisher within the top three is eligible to go up with only one team taken from each division under normal circumstances.

Salisbury are currently top - level on goal difference with Horndean - with Blackfield third, Portchester fourth and Andover sixth.

Claridge's Whites return to league action this Saturday (January 16) away at fourth-to-bottom Fawley AFC.