TOWN skipper Alan Reeves is hoping the return of Andy King will lead to a Boxing Day starting slot against Bournemouth.

The 34-year-old has been sidelined with a knee injury but figured as an unused substitute in Friday's 3-1 defeat at Notts County.

King made no secret of his admiration for Reeves' leadership qualities during his first spell in charge of the club.

But Reeves is not expecting any favours from King. He knows Adam Willis has stepped in and performed well, and that Andy Gurney is available again after suspension.

But whatever the starting line-up against the Cherries, the central defender knows the importance of a productive Christmas in terms of points.

He said: "Last year, we had a bad time over Christmas and I don't think we got a point. It made it that little bit harder in the second-half of the season.

"Points picked up over Christmas can prove to be very important later in the season."

Friday's defeat at Notts County left Town sitting very uncomfortably, just four points clear of the drop zone.

But Reeves is confident that six points from the respective visits of Bournemouth and Bury will go a long way to banishing any thoughts of a relegation struggle.

He said: "We are only four points off a mid table place. Let's look above us rather than below us.

"You don't want people to start thinking negatively.

"I'd like to think that the defeat at Notts County the other night was just a case of an 'off' performance rather than anything else.

"I don't know how many times I've said this but you almost expect upheaval at this club. We have to deal with that and go out and get three points against Bournemouth.

"They aren't having the best of times and it's important we take advantage of that.

"We just need to start creating a few more chances because there's no doubt we've got the players to finish them off."

A reminder that the Boxing Day match with the Cherries kicks off at 1pm.

Don't forget to take advantage of the Town End for a Tenner voucher in tonight's Evening Advertiser.