BOURNEMOUTH boss Will Croker believes Cleve are in a false position – but insists his team are too.

The sides clash at Chapel Gate tomorrow (3pm) with Lions hopeful of adding a third straight win to their tally in National Three South West.

Croker's men are fifth in the embryonic standings while Cleve are second-bottom having won just once in their opening four games.

The Lions head coach told the Daily Echo: "We had a couple of really good battles against Cleve last year so we know there is a strong possibility their league position might be slightly false.

"We can't be under any illusions and must know that we must be on top form to put them to the sword.

"Cleve are always fairly physical, they have a good catchment area to draw talent from.

"Old Pats and Old Cents disappeared last year and I'm sure Cleve have been actively recruiting. It's difficult to know what you're going to be up against.

"However, we have had two good wins and are always confident whenever we are at home. We always fancy ourselves to do well.

"As far as we're concerned, our position is slightly false. We definitely should have beaten Salisbury and we were disappointed at Bracknell, and had we won those two we would have been top.

"We now need to look at what we do and make sure we don't make the same mistakes, irrespective of the opposition. We need to make sure we are as good as we can be."

Andy Spikings could be set for a week on the sidelines with a rib injury so Luca Firetto is primed to return.

Alex Everett-Bolter is unavailable due to family commitments and Rob Bruce is on the bench after recovering from an Achilles' problem.

Lions: Tarrant, Manning, Firetto, Levey, Kenneally, Hennings, McDonald, Rees, Hardcastle, Davies, Roberts, Chislett, Hancox, Jeffes, Veneroso. Replacements: Yates, Treloar, Bruce.