AFTER a two-week break from London one action, coach Jim Dixon's Basingstoke squad has been hit by injuries and unavailability tomorrow as the team chases a vital victory.

Denied the chance to field his strongest pack of the season so far, against Cambridge at Down Grange, the Kiwi is disappointed his front row has been hit by injuries to hooker Matt Evans and prop Steve Collins.

The second row is also weakened by the continuing absence of Kelvin Chapman (knee), while Ross Stirling is unavailable.

Dixon said: "Matt is out until Christmas, because of his damaged ribs, and Steve has a hurt achilles that needs rest or he'll be struggling for the whole campaign. He is missing for two weeks at least.

"I was looking forward to pairing them both in a strong front row with our new prop, Roberto Bussati, who has impressed the boys in training. But that's the way it goes.

"The guys coming in have been involved and it looks like both packs tomorrow won't be at their heaviest."

In contrast, Dixon believes he will be putting out his strongest back division this campaign.

"I think the backs will score a lot of tries this weekend because it's our best line.

"But we have to make sure we win our set pieces, scrummage well and get enough ball to use."

Ian 'Ruffy' Calder takes up his favoured role of fly-half after playing at centre in 'Stoke's last match, against Worthing. Sebastian Berti switches to scrum-half.

Dixon said: "Cambridge have a very strong centre in Sam Allartini, who scores a lot of their tries.

"By moving Ruffy to 10 and Seb to nine, we're shoring up our defence in positions nine to 13.

"But they are also capable of sparking some good attacking play together and, hopefully, will be doing more of that than defending!"

Basingstoke: Matt Lucas; Ollie Rogers, Simon Buckland, Vincent Feausi, Carl White; Ian Calder, Sebastian Berti; Phil Perkins, Mark Bushnell, Roberto Bussati, Andy Wilson, Chris Hampson, Tom Northcote, Simon Appleby, Jim Dixon. Replacements: Mark Rushworth, Dan Rees, Simon Humberstone.