GUISELEY reach the midway point in their troubled National League season on Saturday desperately in need of points.

They kick off their four game festive programme with a home clash against Aldershot.

Tricky away games at Chester on Boxing Day and Tranmere next Saturday are followed by a New Year's Day return clash with Chester.

The Lions are just one point above bottom team Solihull Moors after four-successive league defeats. They were also knocked out of the FA Trophy 2-1 at Gateshead on Wednesday night to a goal in the final minute of extra time.

There can be no disguising the fact that Guiseley are embroiled in a relegation fight for a third season in a row.

Manager Paul Cox is aware of the need to reverse the recent run which has seen them leak goals and struggle to convert chances at the other end of the field.

"We need to re-discover the mindset we had for the FA Cup tie with Accrington," he said.

"Although there are still 24 games to play, we need to start picking up points and a decent haul from the Christmas programme would be a big help.

"This is an extremely busy time of the year and I am going to have to manage the workload of the players carefully."

On the plus side, defender Chris M'Boungou will be available again after suspension while recent signing Liam Hughes played in Wednesday night's 2-1 West Riding County Cup defeat against Tadcaster Albion and will come into contention if he suffers no ill effects after a severe chest infection.

But Guiseley are still without left back Darren Holden who has one more match of his ban to sit out while defender Danny Lowe faces a month out with an ankle injury.