SALISBURY FC have a Boxing Day top of the table clash at AFC Totton, but before this face strugglers Mangotsfield United at home.

Steve Claridge goes into the festive period with a number on injuries, and will be missing influential midfielder Tom Whelan, who despite returning from suspension, is now away until early January.

George Colson will return from suspension on Saturday, as long as Salisbury played their Wiltshire Senior Cup last night.

Kane O’Keefe (knee) is a doubt for a starting berth on Saturday, but could feature on the bench. Where he is likely to be joined by Rhys Baggridge who missed the trip to Paulton through illness.

Owen Howe (pictured) and Stuart Green could prove to be the key to success over the next few weeks, recent signing Howe has scored in every game for the Whites, returning four goals in three starts and Green has already scored 15.

Saturday’s visitors Mangotsfield had a poor start to the season, which included a 5-1 hammering by Salisbury on the opening day.

Boxing Day will be a meeting of the league highest scorers and the league’s best defence. Salisbury have netted 51 times, while AFC Totton’s scrooge-like defence have only conceded only 18 goals in the league.

The Stags have graduated from strugglers last season, in to one of the surprise packages this term and Louis Langdown has worked wonders with his side.

Last Saturday, the Hampshire club beat visiting Bishops Cleeve 6-0, as Craig Feeney netted a hat-trick to take his tally to 14.

The last time the two sides met was on August Bank Holiday, when Marvin Brooks netted twice in Whites 2-0 win.

Striker Owen Howe said: “I fancy us to beat anyone at home with a nice pitch and the crowd behind us and we will be looking to do that Saturday hopefully another clean sheet and a few goals.

“We need everybody back playing, because this is a crucial time of year with a lot of games to be played so everyone in the squad will play their part.

“We have some big games coming up over Christmas, so it would be a great time to go on a nice run picking up maximum points and hopefully put us in a good position for promotion.With Totton picking up lately and going on a good little run, Boxing Day is a massive game for both teams.