Wallingford director of rugby Martin Moran is backing his side to climb off the bottom of South West 1 East.

Moran’s men host Maidenhead tomorrow, having lost their last three matches and struggling with injuries.

But Moran believes there is light around the corner.

He said: “One win will lift the boys and it is worth four points now, so any gap can be closed relatively quickly.

“There is still a great spirit and we had a very good training session on Tuesday.

“We will be strong as we head towards Christmas.”

Flanker Mike Chapman should make his first start of the season alongside brother Matt after recovering from injury, while prop Kris Blaszko is back in training.

Reflecting on last week’s 50-19 defeat at Buckingham, Moran added: “It was only the last 15 minutes where we fell apart. We shipped a lot of tries.

“We lost Steve Grant with a hamstring injury and Anthony Marris with a bad shoulder. By the end, we didn’t have a front-row replacement.

“We are just struggling with injuries and numbers.

“We will just have to keep plugging away.”

Witney have growing injury problems ahead of their trip to Reading Abbey.

Full back Ed Mitcham, lock Marc Copperwheat (ribs) , captain James Lamb (broken hand) and wing Lewis Collins (hamstring) all miss out.

Prop Robbie Richardson has returned to university, but Phil Gouldie, Lee Douglas, Jamie Burke and Tom Harper are all back in the ranks.

Witney hope to bounce back after their first defeat of the season against Reading.

Joint coach John Campbell said: “We didn’t make a song and dance about it.

“We realised this year that it is going to be tough. We found it hard to take because we have only lost two league games in 13 months.

“Reading were a good outfit and we didn’t play well. We have taken it on the chin, but we’ll rectify it this week.”

Banbury head coach Grant Holmes will start himself at scrum half instead of Eddie Phillips (unavailable) when they host Lichfield in Midlands 1 West.

Grove have the Sevier brothers, Roger and Nick, at half-back for their trip to Tadley in Southern Counties North.

Having received a walkover from Chipping Norton last week, Grove will be keen to rediscover their momentum.

Witney (v Reading Abbey, away): Thomas, Gouldie, Strutt, Harper, Monks, H Lamb, G Campbell, Fuller, S Collins, Richens, Fowler, Bennett, J Hicks (capt), C Campbell, Rowles.

Wallingford (v Maidenhead, home): from Marris, Small, P Lewis, D Jenkins, C Jenkins, Webster, Matt Chapman, Mike Chapman, Jeffreys (capt), Best, Stalker, Henderson, Brettell, Collett, Smith, Venners, Gillies, Holton.

Banbury (v Lichfield, home): Taylor, Collett, Sturla, Heywood, Daniels, Papenfus, Holmes, Teare, Clark, Gilbert, McClellan, Brock, C Phillips, Johnson, Brand (capt). Reps: Wilkins, Kern.

Grove (v Tadley, away): Clare, Carr, Clipsham, B Nicholl, Harrington, N Sevier (capt), R Sevier, Wallbridge, Dixey, Keen, Miles, Chapman, Fredericks, G Nicholl, Bellinger. Reps: North, Weaving, Law.