It is make or break time for struggling Gosport & Fareham, who have three games remaining to save themselves and can throw themselves a crucial lifeline tomorrow when they host already-relegated Camberley.

Such is the situation facing the peninsula men that player-coach Sean Fanning (foot) and Harry Harrison (thumb) are likely to play through their respective injuries, although Richard Daly is away on holiday.

But, most crucial of all to their cause is the return of skipper Simon Burns to the front row after a month out through injury.

Fanning knows the huge importance of this game. "If we don't win then I do not see how we can stay up," he says, "but I also want a big turnout from our supporters for what is our most important game of the season because of what is at stake."

At the other end, Portsmouth are scratching around for a side for their trip to dangerous Sidcup as they have a lengthy injury and unavailability list.

Back row pair Phil Jones and James Pegler will be out for at least another fortnight while skipper Mike Vine slipped while getting out of a swimming pool and faces the same duration on the sidelines.

Flying winger Ogi Ofuasia is away while Australian Grant Erskine is not back in time after the Easter break and Harry Cripps is on the bench for the London Irish Academy side for their game against Gloucester on Monday.

"With our present resources and their forward strength it will be a hard game for us," feels rugby manager Nigel Morgan. "But if we play with the same commitment and intensity that we did against Barnes, we ought to win."

National Three South league leaders Barking can sow up the title if they win at Havant, but they are promising to ensure it is not just an easy run for the Essex men.

The home side will be watching airport arrivals during this week as Dylan Raubenheimer returns from Canada today and Anton Petzer came back yesterday from South Africa especially for the game, but player-coach Owen Cobbe is not back from Portugal.

Director of Rugby Adam King wants his side to show the passion of the previous weeks. "We have made progress this season and I cannot envisage any Havant side we send out being uncompetitive," he said.