Workington Reds boss Danny Grainger expects his players to be fired up and at their best for a run of games he believes will define their season and decide if their NPL North West Division title bid is a successful one.

Tomorrow’s game against Clitheroe at Borough Park (3pm kick-off) starts a run of three straight home games for Grainger’s side, who host Ossett United in the Integro League Cup on Tuesday night (7.45pm kick-off) before another league test at home to Brighouse Town next Saturday.

Reds are four points clear of second-placed Ramsbottom United, with fourth-placed Pontefract Collieries looking like the main threat due to their five games in hand on the leaders.

And with the pressure ramping up with just 11 league games to play for his team, Grainger wants his players to be firing on all cylinders this weekend to get the run-in off to the best possible start.

He said: “We’ve got a really tough set of games coming up against teams that show real danger.

“These are games that will literally define our season and we have got to be fired up for them.

“We will take every game as it comes, but when you look at the games at home and our record there, they are going to be key.”

Reds will also be looking to build on a run of five clean sheets in a row which has seen them give very little away in their own half.

And Grainger hopes a big crowd will venture down this weekend and for the remaining home fixtures to help them keep that run going and roar his squad over the line.

“We’ve got six big home games left in the league, and the cup games that we want to make sure we progress in too, and the fans last Saturday were amazing, as they have been away from home all season,” he said.

“The crowds have been creeping up at home to where we want them to be and I can’t thank the supporters enough for that. I think it’s important they keep getting behind us because I know it makes a difference for the lads.”

The other games involving top-five sides this weekend will see Ramsbottom welcome second-bottom Kendal Town, Marine host Droylsden, Pontefract entertain Mossley and Marske have a visit from Ossett United.