BY the time Basingstoke's senior team play Old Colfeians on Saturday, they will have had a three-week competitive break from London one action.

But player-coach Jim Dixon says there will be no rustiness in the crucial away fixture because his men know they cannot afford to be anything less than 100 per cent focused.

With just three games left to go and with 'Stoke placed just outside the relegation zone, winning the eighth v ninth clash is vital if they are to survive.

Beating the team directly above them will give 'Stoke a huge confidence boost ahead of the home match against Sutton and Epsom - the team currently below them - on April 9.

Dixon believes winning the next two matches will guarantee the club's league status - and he is backing his team to deliver when it matters most.

The 27-year-old said: "The boys know what we have to do and that we have to win the next two games. Do that and we'll be safe. We will do it as well.

"We haven't had a game for a few weeks and that's not ideal. You would sooner be playing, but that won't affect us.

"We'll be training hard this week to prepare ourselves properly and the squad is pretty much at full strength.

"There are 25 to 30 guys vying for selection, which is a good position for me as coach to be in. I know whoever I pick will not let me or the club down. They know what's at stake."

Dixon welcomes back university students Ross Stirling, Simon Lovegrove and also old friend Matt Williams to further increase competition.

Dixon sees winning the battle of the tight fives as crucial to the platform for success at Horn Park in south-east London.

He also cites Stirling's return to second row as crucial to winning better lineout ball - something they failed to do to the necessary standard against Richmond in their last game on March 12.

Dixon said of the 42-27 home defeat: "It was very disappointing not to beat Richmond because we should have done.

"But it was a reminder of the things we have to do for a full 80 minutes if we are to be successful, and not just against the better sides.

"We switched off for 10 minutes when they scored three tries that won them the game. We cannot make errors and gift the opposition tries.

"I know the guys have learned the lessons from the game and that they will not repeat them at Old Colfs."