FOCUSED Ardrossan Winton Rovers boss Chris Strain Snr says his team's next three games will go a long way towards shaping their season as they aim to continue their recent impressive run in the Super First Division.

And the manager is planning to further strengthen the squad.

Winton this coming Sunday host Bellshill Athletic. Then the following Saturday they are away to Blantyre Vics, with Cumbernauld United visiting Winton Park on Saturday, January 16.

Strain was impressed with his side's showing a week past on Saturday as they defeated Rutherglen Glencairn 3-0 to chalk up a third successive league victory.

He now hopes to build on the result and said: "We played really well that day and took our chances and it was an important win for us. It should be a good game on Sunday and hopefully we will attract a decent crowd as it's the only league game on in the area. With no other league games on Sunday this is a good chance for us to push up the table which we must aim to do. The next two games are really important. We must keep up picking points and if we win we could be in a good position and possibly challenge for promotion. But we must take it a game at a time and see in a few weeks where that takes us."

The manager, who is in his second full season at Winton Park, hopes to add to the squad and said: "We must look to bring in a full-back and midfielder to give us more cover and competition for places."

Goalkeeper Michael Wardrope meanwhile hopes to hold on to the number one jersey after being given the nod ahead of Dylan Caddis for the Rutherglen game and said: "I haven't played many games this season as Dylan has been doing really well. But it was good to get a clean sheet against Glencairn and hopefully I can keep my place. We look forward to the game on Sunday and will be looking to win. We must make sure we consolidate in the Super First Division. It's a tough league as a couple of wins can take you up a few places but a couple of defeats can leave you struggling. There's a long way to go and hopefully we can keep pushing up the table. We have a good squad."

In other Sunday action Kilbirnie Ladeside are away to champions Auchinleck Talbot in the Super Premier Division.

Stephen Swift's men will be looking to bounce back following their surprise 2-0 home defeat against Glenafton Athletic in the second round of the West of Scotland Cup.

But Talbot are flying high in top spot with six wins from seven games so it has the makings of a great match.