TOM Ashton has called on Southend Saxons to stand up and be counted as they bid to move back up the National Two South standings.

Saxons kick off 2015 with a crunch clash at bottom of the table Dings Crusaders.

And Ashton feels it is crucial Southend come out on top to boost their own survival chances.

“We have to start delivering now as we can’t always wait for next week to put in a performance,” said the centre.

“We are still confident that the group of players we have are capable of getting the right results.

“But we have to start getting them.”

Southend have been beaten in five of their last seven games to slip down to third from bottom in the standings.

Dings Crusaders have also been struggling this season, winning just three of their 16 games so far.

And Ashton feels that heaps extra significance on Saturday’s clash.

“All of our games are important now due to the circumstances we find ourselves in but none more so than the teams that are around us in the league,” said the 31-year-old.

“We had a week off for Christmas we trained Tuesday and Thursday this week and I personally enjoyed the week off.

“It gave the body time to rest and recover and that can only be beneficial going in to Saturday’s game.”

Southend will also be looking to improve on the below par showing they produced when being beaten 32-14 in their last game against Shelford.

And their director of rugby Chris Green is demanding a vastly improved display.

“This weekend is a real crunch game but so was the Shelford one and we just didn’t turn up if I’m honest,” said Green.

“You wouldn’t have guessed the importance of the game from how we played, especially in the second half which is as poor as we’ve been all season.

“We need to have more tempo in our play, there needs to be more dynamism and we just need to do much better all around.”

Saxons will be missing experienced scrum half Rhys Powell after he injured his leg against Shelford.

Back row James Kellard is also unavailable, along with Jy-mel Coleman whose short term deal with the club has now come to an end.

Winger Danny Cleare is still sidelined with a knee problem but winger Sam Nash is available again, along with full-back Iain Meads who could be on the bench.

Lester Pollard and Tommy Taylor will do battle for the vacant scrum half position while prop forward Todd Bailey could be back after returning from playing in Australia.