MANAGER Paul Smith believes a passionate travelling army of Bromsgrove Sporting fans could have a huge say on Saturday's season-defining clash at title-rivals Highgate United.

The Rouslers face a huge game at Tythe Barn Lane as they tackle a United outfit still favourites for the Midlands Division One championship.

The Shirley outfit have slipped to second after back-to-back defeats but have games in hand on new leaders AFC Hinckley.

Sporting are now fourth but have played a game less than Highgate and are aiming to bounce back from their 2-1 loss to Cadbury Athletic.

Smith said: "This game is absolutely massive for us, it's season defining and I cannot stress enough how important it is us for us.

"It's a chance to get back to winning ways for ourselves and more importantly inflict a third straight loss on Highgate.

"The fans have been absolutely tremendous since I took over, they have been top drawer and their support could have a huge say on the result."

The recent good form of Cadbury, Hinckley and Bolehall Swifts has turned what looked set to be a two-horse race at Christmas into a very open chase for the top spot.

Strikers Chris Conway and Matt Gardner are both set for checks on ankle injuries tomorrow night in training but if the pair are not available, Sporting still have the likes of Sean Brain, Dan Carter, Jozsef Jakab and Sam Wills to lead the line.

Saturday's clash (3pm ko) is part of a vital period for Sporting's title hopes. They take on Southam on March 19 (7.45pm ko) before tackling Hinckley at the Victoria Ground two days later (3pm ko).

Smith added: "A month ago the title race was a two-horse affair and now it is wide open.

"That's no problem for us, we are concentrating on the job in hand and we've got a very big run of games coming up."