JIM Dixon has set his Basingstoke side the target of winning at least four of their next six London one fixtures to relieve the pressure when the season approaches its crucial final stages.

After Saturday's game with Cambridge, 'Stoke face Sutton and Epsom and leaders Worthing before the Christmas-New Year period and a fortnight's break in action.

Before the end of January, they meet Thanet Wanderers - the only team 'Stoke beat in their opening nine league games - London Nigerians and Old Albanians.

Senior coach Dixon said: "I've told the boys the target I want them to keep in mind and achieve - four wins from the next six.

"If we do that, we'll climb the table and put ourselves in a much better position for our last six matches.

"It's a critical period of games for us. They are against teams we can beat, but only if we put behind us the errors that have riddled our previous matches and cost us points.

"I'm very confident we can do that. The squad is coming together and I think we will start to kick on from here."

In recent weeks, Dixon has brought Chilean fly-half Sebastian Berti and Argentinian prop Roberto Bussati to Down Grange, while Ian Calder has returned to the back line.

But injuries and unavailability, especially in the pack, have so far robbed Dixon of fielding his strongest team.

Long-term knee ligament victim and captain Kelvin Chapman has been joined on the sidelines by Matt Evans (ribs) and Steve Collins (achilles), while Ross Stirling is having to juggle his appearances with Gloucester University commitments.

Dixon said: "It's a shame I haven't been able to field the guys I want to each week, but it happens and you just have to get on with it.

"I'm hopeful we will have everyone fit for the first game after Christmas, when we play Thanet.

"It will be a massive plus to have my best players back and ready for a final assault on the division."