Interim St Neots Town boss Andy Davies has set his team a 12-point target from their final 10 fixtures of the Southern League Premier Division season.

Saints entertain second-bottom Paulton Rovers at the Premier Plus Stadium this Saturday, 3pm, with a victory essential to ease any lingering fears of relegation.

Davies’ men are just two places and nine points above the drop-zone, but he takes heart from their recent performances against teams in the bottom half of the table as they bid to secure their safety as soon as possible.

He said: “We’ve picked up seven points from nine in the three games against bottom-half teams since I’ve been in charge.

“Getting results against the sides around you in the table is important and that’s something we need to do again this Saturday.

“We’re in our lowest league position of the season, but I’m not going to panic.

“Teams below us do have games in hand, but that does not automatically mean they will put points on the board.

“A positive performance and result can give us a springboard for the rest of the season, and the return of a couple of important players will certainly help.

“I believe nine more points will put our safety beyond doubt, but I’d like to pick up 12 looking at the fixtures we have left.”

The availability of utility man Lee Clarke, who can operate in midfield and up front, will provide a boost for Saints this Saturday.

He has recovered from a quad injury and his return is well-timed given loan striker Dipo Akinyemi has gone back to League Two side Stevenage after completing a month with Saints.

Another Stevenage loanee, defender George Casey has extended his stay at St Neots, who also now have Cambridge United prospect Jordan Brown on a work experience loan.

Brown was one of five new faces in the Saints squad last Saturday when they were beaten by the only goal at Dorchester.

Goalkeeper Alex Archer, Under 18 defender Jordan Heywood and attacker Dan Schiavi were also thrown into the team with the versatile Harley Mazeo-Kelly among the substitute.

Striking transfer target James Hall has snubbed a switch from Southern League Premier Division rivals Cambridge City – the former Godmanchester Rovers man has only been with his current club a matter of weeks.

St Neots have sent four of their scholars out on loan to gain experience of first-team football.

Claudio Ofosu, Erhan Nurettin, Shae Humphrey and Zak Rudman have all joined Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division side Haverhill.

Ofosu scored one goal and created another during his debut for the Suffolk side last Saturday.