Andy Pratt says Canterbury Rugby Club’s results in the three games before Christmas are likely to determine their National 2 South promotion fate this season.

The city club lie fifth in the table, six points behind second-placed Ampthill, who visit Merton Lane on Saturday (3pm), and one ahead of seventh-placed Clifton, in a tight pack of promotion play-off chasers.

After the visit of Ampthill, Canterbury visit sixth-placed Bishop’s Stortford and host third-placed Cambridge in successive weeks and head coach Pratt admitted: “We have a very tough run coming-up.

"The run started with the Hartpury game, and it doesn’t help that we are in the middle of an injury-crisis. I think there were nine players missing on Saturday.”

Pratt added: “I think this could be the defining period in our season. The three games before Christmas will decide which way our season’s pointing.

“It’s a critical moment and with the injuries we have, if we don’t get much out of the next few games then it might be hard to challenge for a promotion spot.”

Canterbury have won their last six home games but Pratt warned: “The last five we have not been particularly great. We need to up our game at home. Ampthill have taken the league by storm and caused us a lot of trouble here last year.”

Ricky Mackintosh is awaiting the results of X-rays after coming off with a severely swollen lower leg and ankle on Saturday, while Alex Veale is also set to miss Ampthill, with Aiden Moss and Brook Cowan hoping to be passed fit and Matt Pinnick returning.