Assistant-manager Darren Beale believes Hythe Town’s Christmas fixtures will be a crucial period for the club.

Three successive 2-1 defeats have left Tim Dixon’s side hanging perilously close to the Ryman League, Division 1 South drop zone.

And, with tough matches coming up against Worthing at home on Saturday, followed by a derby battle at Folkestone on Boxing Day, Beale is well aware that unless Hythe pick up some points in the next two matches, they could enter 2015 facing a relegation fight.

He said: “Seeing where we are in the league, the two Christmas games are going to be massive. Worthing won 6-2 last weekend and Folkestone are flying at the moment.

“It’s going to be a crucial time for us and where, as managers and coaches, we’ve got to earn our money – and the players have got to do the same."

Hythe’s management will be hoping strikers Ashley Miller (hamstring) and
Luke Harvey (thigh) both respond to treatment this week after only having enjoyed a brief partnership together against Sittingbourne a fortnight ago.

Hythe have also got James Morrish and Dave Cook available after completing their three-match bans but Josh Burchell is again likely to be sidelined by his back problem.