MARK Badman is poised for a return in tomorrow's home game against Bedford for a match boss Steve White has described as "our most important game of the season."

The influential midfielder has been out since injuring his leg early in the derby defeat against Bath at the end of March but has been named in tomorrow's squad.

Badman would provide some much needed steel in the centre of midfield as the Bluebirds look for the three points that would guarantee them at least a second place finish.

Despite a nervy last few matches, which has seen them lost three out of their last four league games, Chippenham still lead the Premier Division by one point with four matches remaining.

White said: "The league has really tightened up after Histon's win at King's Lynn but we are delighted to still be at the top of the league.

"If you had said that with two weeks to go we would be leading the division I think everyone here would have been more than happy. But Bedford are still in the title hunt although if we win it and would put them out of it and secure us a second placed finish at worst.

"It is a crucial match and is our most important match of the season to date."

Scott Walker (ankle) and Sam Allison (ribs) have been ruled out of tomorrow's match but White is pleased to have Badman available again.

He said: "We have been concerned with the amount of injuries he has had and we would have liked to have got more games out of him. But at his best and injury free there is no doubt he is a very influential player."

Chippenham currently lead tomorrow's opponents Bedford by eight points so a win tomorrow would secure a top two finish and a play-off position at worse.

The Bluebirds then travel to Hemel Hempstead on Tuesday and White knows the promotion picture will look a lot clearer than this.

He said: "The next three games will decide our season and we have to make sure that we have prepared right for each one.

"We are at a very early stage of team development here and we have already won two trophies and are top of the league.

"This has been remarkable progress and I would like to dedicate everything that has happened to the people behind the scenes."