WINCHESTER City have added a midfielder to their play-off chasing squad and are preparing to swoop for a central defender tonight.

With injuries hitting hard, manager Craig Davis hopes to reinforce his back line in time for Saturday's seventh-versus-fifth showdown against Didcot Town at the Simplyhealth City Ground.

New in already is central midfielder Joe Sowden, a player well known to Davis from his time in charge at Fleet Town.

“Joe didn’t play for me, but I know him well from the Fleet area. He’s played for Camberley Town,” the boss explained.

“He’s a real good lad, a ball-playing, defensive type of midfielder and a neat and tidy footballer who will add to the squad.

“He hasn’t played for a while and we’ve got him in to have a look at him really, but he might well be pressed into action on Saturday.

"Joe Cook and Liam Gilbert are out injured and Josh Harfield is unlikely to play, so we’re struggling a bit defensively.”

Defeated just once in their last 12 league and cup outings, Didcot will arrive in Hampshire buoyed by a 3-1 midweek win over Salisbury.

“They’re flying,” said Davis.

“Their home form in particular is really good but, equally, our home form has been fantastic. Hopefully Didcot are not quite as scintillating away!

“We went to watch them play Salisbury on Tuesday, so we know what they’re about. They played well.

"They’re a side who like to get forward as much as they can, but they’ve got a bit of physicality as well. It’ll be a tough test for us.”

Winchester, who have won eight and drawn two of their 14 league home games, will be keen to get three points in the bag ahead of another huge challenge on Saturday week (February 17), away to third-placed Bristol Manor Farm.