AFTER a game-free weekend last Saturday, Sedgley Tigers coach Geoff Roberts is confident the Park Lane outfit can get back to winning ways at home to old rivals Stourbridge this week.

The fifth-placed Tigers, who crashed to a shock 23-19 defeat at relegation-threatened Luctonians a fortnight ago, had been on a three-match winning run with victories over leaders Hull Ionians, Chester and Harrogate in recent weeks.

Notoriously matches against Stourbridge are tight affairs with the side's playing out a 17-all draw earlier in the season, but Roberts is keen to avenge last season's surprise 45-3 home defeat this time around.

"They gave us a right good drubbing at home last year," he told the Bury Times.

"It was a pretty horrible day so we want to make amends for that."

Although Roberts knows his side face a tough challenge against the 10th-placed visitors, the coach believes the Tigers may just have enough to edge the game.

"We have long 15-year history with Stourbridge. We know each other's game inside and out and every time we play against them it is always really tough so I am expecting this one to be no different," he said.

"They've been a little unfortunate with injuries this season which has really effected them.

"They are usually a pretty all-round side, much like us. They are no more dominant than we are but we know what they are capable of.

"On form we are probably the front runners and we are at home but it's one of those games which we really can't take too lightly.

"We've got to be careful. Teams like Hull, who are amongst the bottom teams, are a tough side to beat, especially at home, as many sides are finding out."

The rested Tigers will be without long-term absentees George Hymes and Ryan Parkinson on Saturday but may welcome back Richard Wainwright from injury as Roberts looks to clinch third place in National League Two North.

"We had a week's rest with no training last week in order to let everyone patch their wounds up a bit," he said.

"We were worried that Rhys Davies had a shoulder injury but luckily nothing was broken so I think there is every chance that he'll be available too.

"We are six points adrift of third place so this is final push now to secure that spot.

"We plundered at Luctonians a fortnight ago so we want to put that right.

"If we can get that third place I'd be happy as we would have improved on last year and we can then build on that and really go for it next season."