HUW GRIFFITHS concedes that Cefn Druids home clash with Aberystwyth Town is "massive" but stopped short of labelling it a 'must-win'.

Ahead of back-to-back home matches with Caernarfon and Aberystwyth, Griffiths said that two points was not enough in their bid to climb out of the relegation zone.

Druids drew 1-1 with visiting Caernarfon last weekend as Neil Ashton's opener was cancelled out by Danny Brookwell.

Asked whether tonight's visit of Nev Powell's Aberystwyth was now a 'must-win', Griffiths replied: "It would be nice to win it and get out of the bottom two.

"It's a massive game, but there are still plenty more to play so it's not a 'must-win', but it's probably a 'must-not-lose'.

"It's a game we are looking forward to and one we are going to go out and try to get three points from.

"If we do beat Aberystwyth then we will go above them in the table and out of the relegation zone.

"The plan is to try and win the game, and I'm sure Nev is thinking the same, but we can't afford to lose as there would then be six points between us and we are playing catch up."

Former Druid, Ashley Ruane, will be looking to shoot down the side he left in the summer, but he will have to get past Joel Thompson, who was named in Sgorio's 'five-on-form' after an entertaining debut.

Thompson, who will stand in for suspended stopper Mike Jones for a second successive week, made a number of eye-catching saves against Caernarfon, but was beaten at his near post for the goal and could have seen red for tangling with Jamie Breese on the edge of the area.

Griffiths said: "We congratulated him for making the team of the week.

"He held his hands up for the goal in the dressing room after the game and that's good to see.

"Hopefully playing and making a number of saves will give him confidence and that can only be good for us."

Ryan Kershaw joins Jones on the sidelines for Druids, who welcome back James Davies after his lay-off with a back problem.

Davies was able to get out on the training pitch on Wednesday after some work with new Druids physio Phil Joseph.

The former Wales international rugby league player replaced Jon Pd Morris as the Ancients physio during the week.

Griffiths explained: "We've taken the opportunity to bring someone in who will be as good a physio as there is in the Welsh Premier League.

"Phil's appointment will help move the club forward off the field.

"Pd has been great and we thank him for everything he's done for the club."

In the Aberystwyth camp, boss Powell is hoping victory over Druids can kick-start a fine October, which sees the Seasiders also face Caernarfon, Llandudno and Llanelli.

Powell, who has seen Aber go three games in all competitions without a win, said: "October is going to be a big month for us so we’ve got to remain positive.

"Teams are beating each other week in, week out and we’ve got to make sure we remain positive and keep the players’ heads up.

"We’ve got to focus, not look behind and make sure we are fired up to go to Cefn Druids, which will be a tough game."