EBBW Vale are wary of bottom club Neath putting a spanner in the works of their charge for the Principality Premiership playoffs, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Steelmen sit sixth in the table but are just seven points back on current pacesetters Pontypridd thanks to three wins on the spin.

The latest of those successes was a 24-10 home derby win against Bedwas thanks to tries by flanker Ronny Kynes, wing Jared Rosser and full-back Dan Haymond.

Backs coach Nick Wakley said: "We were very happy with the win because it's always tough against Bedwas – they scrap for everything and are a very well-drilled side."

The run has given Ebbw hope of repeating last season's heroics and qualifying for the playoffs but with little margin for error they must not slip this weekend.

They travel to the Gnoll to face a Neath side who prop up the table and appear to be condemned to finishing bottom.

Ebbw won the home encounter 22-0 in September but the Welsh All Blacks have been showing signs of improvement and signed off for 2015 by avoiding a league defeat for the first time this season, although they were left lamenting a late score by title hopefuls Aberavon in a 26-26 draw.

"Neath are resurgent and because there is no relegation they will be playing without any fear," said Wakley. "They can just go out there and play rugby so it could have the makings of a cracking game.

"We know that we can't take them lightly and we had a mid-season review in which we targeted wins in our next five; we've beaten Aberavon, Bridgend and Bedwas so we have to continue to put ourselves in good shape at the end of January.

"It's a tight league with a lot of rugby to be played yet and we believe we can still be the side that finishes top."

Ebbw are without Harri Keddie as the back row forward is on a Wales Under-20s training camp while lock Ashley Sweet misses out with a concussion.

However, they are blessed with strong deputies with Rhys Clarke potentially moving forward to the second row with back rowers Cameron Regan and Luke Crocker likely to be promoted from the bench.