CRAIG Davis insists Winchester City must get their performance levels right if they are to revive their Evo-Stik South West play-off push.

The ‘Beast from the East’ permitting, a monster week of fixtures lies ahead for the cathedral city club, starting with Saturday's scheduled trip to second-placed Salisbury (3pm).

A Hampshire FA Senior Cup semi-final at home to Blackfield & Langley follows on Tuesday (7.45pm) before league leaders Taunton Town roll up in Hampshire next Saturday.

It’s not been the best of times for City with just one point banked from the last three games, two of those against the division’s bottom two.

Despite those setbacks, they are still in the play-off mix in seventh and player/boss Davis has faith in his players to get back on an upward trajectory.

“It’s a tough week coming up but I’m confident we can produce better performances,” he said.

“You won’t see a better game than when Salisbury came to our place (and won 5-4 in October) and if it’s the same sort of result tomorrow, only the other way round, I’ll be a happy man.

“The key for us is getting performance levels right, both individually and as a collective. If we do, the result will take care of itself.

"Salisbury lost to Didcot not long ago and we beat Didcot the following game, so they’re not infallible.

“For me and Barry (Blankley, assistant manager), it’s a return to a place where we had some good times. Salisbury have changed a lot, but there a still people there who I’ve got a lot of time for.

"Hopefully the game will be on. I’m looking forward to it.”

With sub-zero temperatures and snow playing havoc this week, City even had their 3G training called off at Henry Beaufort School and improvised with some exercise in the clubhouse.

“We’ve got assume games will be on,” said Davis.

Injury-wise, Joe Hayward and Jamie Barron are battling through knee problems, while Adam Tomasso (bruised foot) is edging closer to fitness.

But long-term foot problems to defender Joe Cook and gritty midfielder Liam Gilbert will keep them out for weeks rather than days, with Davis ruing: “They’ve been integral for us and losing them has made a big difference.”

Salisbury boss Steve Claridge believes promotion is theirs to throw away.

With two to go up automatically, the Whites are seven points clear in second spot with two games in hand over Evesham in third.

“We have to make sure we don’t lose to the teams who are chasing us and, if we do that, I can’t see why we won’t finish second,” said Claridge.

“The pressure is on everyone else to catch us.”