CHIPPENHAM face a man on a mission when new Hemel Hempstead boss Nick Ironton brings his side to Hardenhuish on Saturday.

Ironton was announced as the new Tudors boss just three weeks ago and will be in control of Hemel for the sixth time when they face the Bluebirds.

The ex-QPR playmaker has the job of rescuing Hemel's season as they currently lie fourth from bottom on just 23 points.

The manager insists he can guide his new side out of relegation and aims to finish the season in mid-table.

He said: "The players have a great attitude and their spirits are getting lifted.

"I'm not worried because most of the players I have here can play at a higher level, I have extreme confidence in my team and am excited about the rest of the season."

Tudors chairman David Boggins is certain that he has selected the right man to salvage Hemel's season.

Boggins said: "I think Nick will do well for us, we have already seen a vast improvement. He has a successful history as a player and a manger."

Ironton started his professional playing career at QPR before winning the Conference with Enfield and Maidstone.

His first management role saw him take over at Arlesey, who were rooted to the bottom of the South Midlands League. He kept them out of relegation in 2000 and marched them to the league title in 2001 and promotion into the Ryman Division Three.

Ironton took the Ryman League by storm and won the third division at the first attempt when his side scored a Ryman record of 138 goals and lost just two games. He won a third successive promotion in 2002 by finishing fourth in the second division attaining Arlesey's highest league position in their 100 year history.

But he has a job on his hands if he hopes to keep Hemel in the Southern Premier League, although there has already been some major reshuffling made since Ironton's arrival this month.

He released five players and brought in a handful of new faces, including some of his old players from Arlesey.

They include prolific goal scorer Grant Carney, midfielder Jack Midson and defenders James Dilnut and Andy Theoudosiou.

The manager has made a point that he intends to dramatically change the Tudors defence as they have leaked more than 50 goals this season.

He believes his strike force is more than capable of tearing holes in any Southern League defence and Carney and fellow striker Aggy Petrou, who is on loan from Conference side Farnborough, are his men to watch.

He is boosted by the news that club top scorer Brian Hammett, who has 11 goals so far, should be available for the game against Chippenham after recovering from an ankle strain.

Ironton is also happy that number one goalkeeper Martin Pete has recovered from surgery on his knee and should be available.