DETERMINED defender Jamie Laird still harbours ambitions of promotion to the Conference South this term, and believes Weymouth are more than capable of achieving that goal.

The former Weston-super-Mare man, who dropped down a division to join the club last summer, believes recent displays have shown the Terras still have the pedigree to go up this season.

Laird is part of the Weymouth squad set to take on Burnham at the Bob Lucas Stadium today (3pm) and with just three home league games left, the centre-half is looking to push on.

He told Echosport: “Recent performances have given myself and the others a lot more hope and we are just not getting that rub of the green we were having at the start of the season.

“In the second half at Paulton we did everything right apart from find the back of the net.

“Our number one aim is to make sure we get into the play-offs. We have games against some of the top teams left to go with Corby, Truro and Poole, they will be tough but it is in our hands to make sure we take points off them.”

Laird knows the Terras are highly expected to beat this afternoon’s rock-bottom visitors comfortably, but is well aware the hosts cannot afford to be complacent. “It is always going to be a tough game against a team who are fighting to stay in this league,” he added.

“They are obviously going to be giving everything to get a result and they will probably come with no pressure on them because they aren’t expected to get anything.”

Laird also paid tribute to brother Callum who has come into the side in recent weeks and nailed down a spot at right-back, but also revealed his sibling is set to be unavailable this afternoon.

He added “Callum has done really well since he has come in to keep his place in the team.

“He is likely not to be with us because he is doing his FA level two coaching badges but it gives an opportunity for whoever comes in to stake their claim.”