STRIKER Owen Howe is back from suspension for the Easter holiday double header for Salisbury.

The Whites face a visit from lowly Shortwood United on Saturday, before a trip to third place Wimborne.

Second placed Salisbury come into the weekend unbeaten in their last five games and seven points clear of Wimborne, who slipped to fourth after 3-3 draw at leaders Taunton on Tuesday night.

Swindon Supermarine are now in third place six points behind the Whites, but having played two games more.

The return of forward Howe is a massive boost to team, but the Whites will now be without Tom Whelen, who now starts a three game ban after reaching 10 bookings.

Shortwood will arrive in Salisbury having lost their last four games, ahead of last night’s home clash with Kidlington.

Back in September, Salisbury dished out an 8-0 victory in the away game and will be hoping to complete a league double on Saturday.

Looking ahead to the game, manager Steve Claridge said: “They have a free hit coming to our place as they are not going to get relegated.

"They are a side which likes to play the ball on the ground, so it should be a very entertaining game.

"We are looking for three points from the game, which sets us for the trip to Wimborne.”

Monday trip to their promotion, will see the Whites chasing another league double, having beaten the Dorset side earlier in the campaign at the Ray Mac 2-0. In that game Danny Young and leading goal scorer Stuart Green were on target.

Before Wimborne can focus on the plotting the downfall of Salisbury, they have another big game on Saturday, when they face a trip to play-off rivals Bristol Manor Farm, who are fifth, just a point behind Wimborne.

Didcot Town complete the play-off picture and they have the same points as Bristol 59, but from one game more. Then comes Evesham on 58 and AFC Totton on 57, while Bideford have 54, but do have three games in hand on the teams above them.

Looking ahead to his Easter Monday trip Claridge said: “They have a tough game before us, but we want to get over the finish line as quickly as possible and a win over Wimborne will help the cause no end."