HALESOWEN Town boss John Hill is targeting a confidence-boosting success over high-flying Shaw Lane this Saturday.

The manager believes his side can overcome their underdog tag and hand themselves a lift going into a vital month ahead.

The Shaw Lane clash at the Grove (3pm kick-off) is set to be followed by four games against sides in the bottom half of the table.

Home matches against Marine, Whitby and Nantwich sandwich a trip to Matlock, who are currently the highest place side of the quartet in 17th.

Hill said: "We are massive underdogs against a good, strong Shaw Lane side.

"However, I'm always saying that in this league the bottom teams can beat those at the top on any given day, so hopefully my players can prove me right on that.

"We have some big games coming up after Shaw Lane so it would be good to boost confidence by getting something positive this Saturday."

The Yeltz will be boosted by the return of Brad Lewis and Cameron Steele for the weekend but Enock Ekongo is only rated as 50/50 to feature.

Hales, who now sit third-from-bottom, will also have to bounce back from last Saturday's disappointing 3-1 defeat at fellow strugglers Rushall Olympic.

The Pics took the lead from the spot on 39 minutes before Town striker Dan Udoh levelled matters two minutes later.

A frantic end to the half saw Rushall regain their advantage after Wesley Atkinson headed home.

The home side finally made the game safe just past the hour mark when Mathis Fonovich curled in from the edge of the box.

"It was a difficult defeat to take and we were disappointed," said Hill.

"I think we just about shaded the first half and had the better chances but didn't take them.

"They have then scored from a penalty awarded against Asa Charlton that I don't think was a penalty. I didn't think it was at the time and I've watched it again since and I think both players are pulling at each other.

"But again we are having to field injured players which is making life difficult as well.

"In the warm-up to the Rushall game we had Dan Bragoli feel his hamstring and Alex Woodhouse throwing up behind the goal with illness. Both managed to play the game but it shows what we are up against. I'm just waiting for our luck to change."

In light of the injury issues, Hill is still looking to bring fresh faces to the Grove and hopes to complete a move for a left-sided player this week.