HELLENIC LEAGUE: PEWSEY Vale have had a rare weekend off and are now well rested ahead of Saturday's crunch basement battle with Gloucester United.

Steve Wootton's side were without a fixture on Saturday because opponents Southall Town were playing in the FA Vase.

The break has seen Wootton get some bodies off the treatment table and on to the training pitch in preparation for this weekend's important match.

"We had a weekend off which was a bit of a godsend because we've still had quite a few players struggling," he said.

"But now Darren Walters, Matt Messenger, Neil Bartlett, Barry Flippance and Craig Wall are all back.

"Tom Ritchie has got another reserve game under his belt and we should have six or seven players back for Saturday."

Wootton said his team will play positively against Gloucester and will look to be clinical in front of goal.

"Gloucester have got Bobby Gould in to help them out in the short-term and that has got to be a boost for them," he added.

"But we are confident we can get something from the game. We need to be tight at the back and take our chances.

"We can't afford to give away the ball and make silly mistakes. But we are getting our more experienced players back now which helps."

Wootton has flagged up the Christmas period as a pivotal point in his side's season.

"A win against Gloucester would put daylight between us and bring us closer to the teams above," he said.

"The Christmas period is very important for us and with some good results we can start moving up.

"I still think we are going to finish halfway up the table. All we need is a settled side because we have not gone more than two games without changes so far.

"Our injuries have been a nightmare and we have had to play players out of position. But when we got everyone back we are as good as any team outside the top six."

He continued: "It all comes down to confidence. Picking up points here and there makes you more confident.

"But when you lose week after week it makes it harder to come back."