St Albans City boss James Gray insists anything is possible this season and has refused to rule his side out of reaching the play-offs.

The Saints are seven points off the top-five in the Conference South but joint manager Gray believes his team could make a late challenge in the remaining 13 games.

Gray said: “We’re not giving up hope of anything. If we get on a little run we could push ourselves into the play-offs and if we don’t have that kind of hope football can become a little bit stale. I don’t really think we can get stuck into relegation because I think we’re too good for that. Anything can happen so I’ll keep the boys on their toes.

“We’re seven points off the play-offs but have three games this week so you just never know. We didn’t go into the play-offs last year in great form so anything is achievable and it’s all about attitude and application.”

Gray added: “We can’t let our guard drop and we have set lots of individual and collective targets for the rest of the season. We do not want to drop off and let it go stale.”

One of the club’s targets is to hold on to Dagenham & Redbridge defender Ian Gaye. He is due to stay with the Saints until February 14 but City are hoping to extend it for the remainder of the campaign.

Gray, whose keeper Tom Coulton has joined Ware on dual registration, said: “We’d like to extend Ian’s loan until the end of the season. He has been superb for us. He’s been athletic and quick and we’re trying to keep him here because he will only help us. It’s difficult but we’re in talks and now it’s just a waiting game but hopefully there may be some positive news soon.”

The Saints were not in action last weekend but the club used the break in matches to adopt more training in an effort to improve their condition for the run-in.

The manager said: “Once we are in the season we want to play every Saturday and I don’t think not playing does us any good. But the players should be refreshed and ready for this weekend.

“We’ve trained really hard and prepared as if it was a mini pre-season so the players should be in good shape for the rest of the campaign.”

The Saints face a difficult trip to seventh placed Chelmsford City on Saturday before travelling to Havant & Waterlooville the following Tuesday night.

Gray said: “Chelmsford will be a tough place to go because they’ve had a very good season.

“Not that many people expected them to be right up there but we will have to be on our mettle against them.”

City will be without captain James Comley, after his dismissal against Maidenhead United, and Sam Corcoran (ten bookings) for both matches due to suspension.

The manager said: “To lose our captain to a three game ban is not going to help us. But as one door closes another opens so it’s a good opportunity for others to stake their claims.”

The January player of the month is Omar Beckles. The award will be presented prior to the home game on February 14 against Basingstoke Town.

There is a St Albans City team and supporters’ coach going to Chelmsford City this Saturday.

The coach will depart at 11.30am from the Clarence Park entrance to the ground.

To reserve £10 seats call Ian Rogers on 07714 145862.