TOMMY Widdrington reckons you can see in leaders Salisbury City's eyes that they are up for a fight at Southern Premier title rivals King's Lynn tonight.

No fewer than three Whites' players - Tim Bond, Aaron Cook and Paul Sales - ended up with black eyes after the 0-0 home draw with second-placed Bath City last week.

In addition, player-coach Widdrington was kept in hospital overnight after taking a whack on the head.

But all four were fit for Saturday's 3-1 win at Banbury which kept Salisbury top on goal difference - one point better off than King's Lynn with a game in hand.

"If we win tonight it would be a massive result for us, but it's imperative we don't lose," said Widdrington, below. "The onus is on King's Lynn and obviously we're expecting them to try and beat us. But we've been up for the fight all along - as our collection of black eyes shows!"

Whites made two new signings ahead of last Friday's transfer deadline.

Swindon Town striker Ashan Holgate, 18, is on loan until the end of the season and made his debut at Banbury, while central defender Jamie Whisken has been released by AFC Bournemouth.

Matt Tubbs (knee) and Matt Holmes (foot) are both out tonight and Adam Wilde has a slight groin strain.

l New Basingstoke boss Francis Vines has made six new signings - but none is eligible for tonight's Hampshire Senior Cup semi-final, second leg at home to Newport IoW (7.45).

Stoke, 1-0 up from the first leg, have captured central midfielder Jamie Gosling from Forest Green Rovers and right-back Matt Ottley from Molesey, while midfielder Nathan Stamp has returned to the Camrose via Chesham and Maidenhead.

Two youngsters, striker Giuseppe Sole and midfielder Jerome Maledon, have been loaned fromWoking and Vines has also swooped for defender Nick Beasant, son of former Saints keeper Dave.

The new boss will be taking a back seat tonight out of respect for his predecessor Ernie Howe and his right-hand man Pete Peters, who left last week.

Coach-turned-assistant manager Steve Richardson will take charge with Vines pointing out: "It's Steve's, Ernie's and Pete's cup and the players owe it to them to get to the final."

Newport also have several players cup-tied and are still without injured duo Jon Holmes and Simon Pilcher.