MARK Tompkins believes Chipstead need three or four wins from their remaining 10 games to guarantee staying up.

But he will not rush injured players back into action at promotion-chasing Walton & Hersham on Saturday as he strives to that aim.

The High Road boss watched in frustration as his side narrowly failed to take a point from high-flying Godalming Town, losing 1-0 at home despite having four players injured.

With a fixtureless midweek "coming at the right time," Chilpstead travel to Walton on Saturday before a trip to Ashford Town next Wednesday for what Tompkins says is a "vital" game.

"We need to win that, or worse case scenario draw," he said. "We can't afford to lose."

Striker and captain Scott Simpson (groin), midfielder Allan Matthews (hamstring) and defender Louis Hollingsworth (thigh) all missed last Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to Godalming.

Ray Freeman, who has injured ribs, came on as a substitute.

"We had a go at Godalming," said Tompkins, whose side have lost four of their last five Ryman One South games, "we're just not getting the rub of the green.

"We had a goal disallowed and hit the post. It's not going for us at the minute. We put in a good performance on Saturday, we just didn't get a result."

Defender Nathan Green went closest for the hosts at the end, with a 25-yard strike.

Tompkins hopes that his injured players, who are keeping physiotherpist Malcolm Cooper busy, will be back within "two to three weeks."

He added: "We need three or four wins out of the last 10 games and we'll probably give them another week's rest.

"We don't want to bring them back too early because if they get injured further they will be out for a month and that will be the end of the season."

Tompkins hopes to take Saturday's performance into the Walton match and is aiming for points. "It won't be easy. They are trying to get into the play-offs."