AS they hit the halfway point of their league campaign, Warrington Rylands are looking upwards.

With 50 per cent of their Northern Premier League Premier Division fixtures now complete, Blues sit eighth but are just a point shy of the play-off spots.

Now, caretaker boss Jody Banim has made his target clear – he wants his side to be inside that all-important top five by the new year.

There are four league games until then, starting with the visit of Nantwich Town to Gorsey Lane on Saturday, kick off 1pm.

> Click here to find out why Warrington Rylands vs Nantwich Town will kick off earlier than scheduled

Warrington Guardian: Rylands have played Saturday's opponents Nantwich twice away from home this season - drawing in the league in August and winning in the FA Trophy in OctoberRylands have played Saturday's opponents Nantwich twice away from home this season - drawing in the league in August and winning in the FA Trophy in October (Image: Mark Percy)

Following that are games against sides currently above them in the standings – they visit league leaders Gainsborough Trinity on December 10 and seventh-placed Bamber Bridge the following week before a Boxing Day home clash with sixth-placed Radcliffe.

However, Banim is confident his side can meet his expectations.

“What we’ve got at the minute is a really good squad that I could pick anyone from. I’m really pleased with the options I’ve got,” he said.

“Nantwich is a huge game for us but they are all huge now.

“Before Saturday, we had five games left before the turn of the year. I said to the lads that I’d like to be in the play-offs by the end of that run.

“We need to be in that top five and we’re more than capable of it. We’ve got the players to do it, we’ve just got to go and make it happen.”

Blues extended their recent upturn with a 2-1 win at Stalybridge Celtic last time out, with Kelly N’Mai coming off the bench to score twice as they came from behind to secure a third win in four matches.

> Stalybridge 1 Rylands 2 - full report, pictures and reaction

Warrington Guardian: Kelly N'Mai celebrates scoring at StalybridgeKelly N'Mai celebrates scoring at Stalybridge (Image: Mark Percy)

“We probably lose Saturday’s game three or four weeks ago – we didn’t have those options off the bench to change it or the resilience within the group,” Banim said.

“We’ve got a group of blokes in there who don’t like losing football matches, which really helps.”

Defender Kyle Hayde and on-loan midfielder Dylan Vassallo are Rylands’ only current injury concerns while Kallum Mantack will be pushing for a full debut having made his club bow off the bench at Stalybridge.

Blues are due to be in Liverpool Senior Cup action tonight when Bootle visit Gorsey Lane for a 7.30pm kick off.