BOSS Dave King has backed his Tividale players to bounce back from their defeat at Wednesfield.

Dale's title chances were dealt a blow with the 2-1 loss last Saturday to leave them in third place in the West Midlands Premier League.

However, they now have the chance to hit back with three successive home games.

They are due to take on leaders Malvern Town on Tuesday night before welcoming Wellington Amateurs this Saturday (3pm kick-off).

That will be followed by a derby clash with second-placed Black Country Rangers on March 6.

King was disappointed with Saturday's defeat but thinks the next three matches at the Beeches offers his young squad the perfect chance to make amends.

He said: "We knew Wednesfield were a very hard team to break down and they worked extremely hard for each other.

"They came out strongly in the second half and scored two and I think we panicked a little and went a bit too direct at times.

"They deserved the win and we just need to bounce back.

"The boys were extremely disappointed because they really do care about the club.

"I have full confidence that they'll react.

"We have three big games now. Two against the current first and second-placed sides and another against a much-improved Wellington Amateurs side.

"There is a lot of football still to be played but getting something from those games would be a big step."

Freddie Watts, Curtis Cocking, Brad Welding and Dan Bryson all missed the Wednesfield defeat but should all be fit for the weekend.

Tivi were also handed a boost last week after 12-goal forward Demetri Brown turned down Northern Premier League side Halesowen Town.

King added: "We told Demetri about the approach and he turned it down straight away, which is great for us.

"He said he's enjoying his time at Tividale and wants to stay and see the season out here.

"He's playing with a smile on his face again now and wants to try and help us to promotion."