TOTTONIANS' chances of joining the London Division Three South-West promotion party may have slipped but they still want a positive end-of-season finish.

After two heavy defeats in the last couple of weeks, Paul Goodall is focusing on a top-four finish and has urged his side to put recent performances behind them by sinking relegation-threatened Alton.

Injuries collected at Weybridge last weekend have cost them hooker Miles Northover, fly-half James Weeks and flanker Rob Stevens, however, all out with various shoulder problems.

Frenchman Ange Mariani's shoulder has recovered and he plays alongside the returning Mike Searle at outside centre and influential number eight Clive Wilkes. James Angove switches to blindside to allow Mike Green a second-row spot.

"Last week was a bad day at the office but this week is a must win for us," said Goodall. "We know they are a difficult side to beat and have a number of experienced players but I am confident we can halt our two-game losing streak and get back on track for a top-four finish."

Alton, unfortunate to lose narrowly to promotion chasing Effingham & Leatherhead and Chobham in the last fortnight, have a full-strength squad.

"We deserve a bit of luck this weekend," reflects vice-captain Jason Rees.

Winchester's promotion hopes will be determined by their result against second-placed Effingham as a win for the Surrey side will see them six points ahead of Barry Bridgman's men. Victory would cut the deficit to just two.

Jersey could be the first league team in the region to be officially promoted if they come away from London Irish Amateur with win number 13 while Andover tackle Totts' conquerors of last week, Weybridge.

Trojans could put one foot in London Four South-West if they can overhaul battling Nomads in a rearranged Hampshire One clash.

But coach Pete Surtees is taking nothing for granted, despite Nomads' second-bottom league position, aware of their results since the turn of the year - two one-point reverses to Sandown & Shanklin and a thumping win over New Milton last week.

Simon Greenhalgh and Steve Fitzgerald come into the pack for the injured John Brohers and Tim Richardson in an otherwise unchanged side from that victorious over Farnborough.

"We know Nomads are a good side and have three or four dangerous players but we believe we have the game plans to beat them," feels Surtees.

"But nothing short of a win will do and the way the lads have been training. I have every confidence in them."