Winchester can't afford the same kind of result at basement-dwellers Cobham that they suffered last weekend at home to Sidcup if they are to avoid sinking to the foot of London Division Two South.

That is the nightmare scenario facing Mike Marchant's side, who relegated from London One only last season - but a horror show similar to the one they inflicted upon their supporters six days could make it a reality.

The 37-5 mauling was their ninth defeat of the season and left them third from bottom and just two points clear of their hosts tomorrow. But defeat is an unthinkable proposition for the county capital's men.

They will have players back for the trip to Surrey tomorrow after nine missed last week so hope to turn around their dip in form.

Gosport & Fareham have turned their season around with four wins in a row but know they face a different proposition when they tackle third-placed Wimbledon at Fort Blockhouse.

However, coach Sean Fanning has a cast of riches with 21 players to choose from and delays the final naming of his side. He will be without full-back Chris Manktelow with a leg injury and possibly prop Peter Wallis, who tore a knee and bruised a rib last weekend.

Army winger Ben Taylor could also return, having recovered from the injury he sustained in late September while Steve Emm may also come back into contention. Prop Russell Tudge flies in from Ireland to stand by in case Wallis's injuries keep him out.

"We want to keep our winning sequence going but know that we will face a harder test against Wimbledon," said the coach.

Portsmouth have slipped dangerously close to the relegation area but are targeting their local derby with Andover to boost their survival chances, although Tom Sumner and Paul Laidler are both missing.

But they have Pete Wylie, Oge Ofuasia and Nick Ettery all returning to action and this is a huge plus for Ian Chandler's outfit.

"It has been a hard last two months for us with the fixtures against the top three sides all on top of each other," he said.

"The results have been disappointing, but we have been playing well and we have cause to look forward to the rest of the season, starting with this game with Andover."

Havant will be hoping not to get locked up as they visit the back of Wormwood Scrubs when they take on London Nigerian at the Linford Christie Stadium in London One, knowing that the hosts are fighting for their lives in the division.

But the visitors are boosted by the return of a number of players and were not finalising their team, especially in the backs, until after training last night with Wes Robertson, Leighton Davies and Liam Davenport vying for places.

Skipper Jon Barfoot returns from his business trip and replaces the unavailable Graham Butterworth.

"It is not the most welcoming of stadiums," said director of rugby Adam King, "but we have to be up for the challenge physically as a team."