FRANK Gray is considering a return to a 3-5-2 as he looks to mastermind an end to Basingstoke Town’s dismal recent record away from home.

After starting the season with an impressive run of results on the road, Town have hit a brick wall in recent weeks, losing their last five away fixtures.

The latest defeat came at St Albans on Tuesday night and Gray is desperate to turn things around at Staines Town on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) – with a return to a five-man midfield one of the options he is considering.

“Sometimes 3-5-2 suits us more, especially away from home, but we will have a look at the personnel we have available before making a final decision,” he said. “We looked strong when we went to three at the back on Tuesday, got in their faces and posed a bit more of a threat.”

The trip to Staines could see a recall for Jahson Downes. The striker has struggled to fulfil his obvious potential in recent weeks and has been dropped to the bench for the last two games.

However, this may have been the wake-up call he needed and he may be restored to the side after impressing during a substitute appearance at St Albans.

“You do things like that for a reason and it’s up to Jahson to show us what he is capable of when he gets a chance,” Gray said. “He was lively and posed a threat on Tuesday. When he is in form, he is a real threat to teams.”

While Downes may return, winger Matt Warner could find himself on the sidelines after struggling to play two games in four days this week.

One position giving Gray a headache is goalkeeper. Ross Kitteridge has been left out of the last two games after his well publicised mistake against Northwood but replacement Craig Atkinson has not been completely convincing, with his kicking a particular worry.

Staines may be the Blue Square South’s draw specialists but they have been hard to beat, losing just four times so far this season.

They are also enjoying a fine run in the FA Cup, having earned a second-round replay at Millwall after holding their League One opponents to a 1-1 draw last weekend. The replay will take place on Tuesday but Gray is not banking on that being a distraction.

“Whether or not they have one eye on their cup replay, it is up to us to do what we have got to do,” he said. “We must play with a high tempo for 90 minutes.

“We seem to be strongest when we impose ourselves on games. If we stand off them like we did St Albans in the first half, we will have problems.”