BROMSGROVE Rovers boss George Rooney remains optimistic his side can achieve a top seven place this season.

Rovers picked up four points from six over the New Year after a 3-3 draw with Halesowen on New Year's Day and last Saturday's 1-0 victory at Solihull Borough.

The results brought a welcome end to a poor spell over Christmas that saw Rooney's team lose back to back league fixtures to Gresley and local rivals Redditch, putting them in eighth spot.

But Rovers, who host Shepshed Dynamo this Saturday, are now joint fifth, six points behind second place Rugby United with a game in hand.

And the aim is a top seven spot, which should hand Rovers a place in next season's Dr Martens Premier after the non-league restructuring.

The manager said: "It's very competitive and that's where we are aiming to be. Obviously there are a lot of clubs investing more heavily than we are able to do but it's going to be a test right to the end. We are very optimistic."

But one thing Rooney believes is hampering his side's chances is the uneven Victoria Ground pitch.

He added: "We have been unable to invest in the pitch. It needs enormous investment to get it anywhere near decent. I felt the pitch contributed to Halesowen's equalising goal, Paul (Wyatt) got a monstrous kick in front of his face."

Meanwhile, Danny Scheppel has joined Redditch and Ryan Mahon will miss most of January serving a suspension he picked up before joining the club.