KEEPING Gloucester City out of a relegation dogfight is the priority for goalkeeper Mike Green this Christmas.

With four key games coming up, he said nine points out of a possible 12 would give the Tigers a cushion of comfort.

"They are massive games coming up," said Green.

"They will decide whether we have a good season or a dogfight towards the end.

"Harrogate tomorrow will be tough without Tom Webb, Neil Mustoe and Michael Rose.

"They are three players with lots of experience and we will miss Webby's energy."

Green joined the Tigers at the end of the summer on a season-long loan from Bristol Rovers.

The 21-year-old said he was impressed with the way the Blue Square North side was run, although he admitted he did not know much about the league he was going into.

He said: "My first impressions were how well organised the club is. The training facilities are brilliant for a non-League club.

"Training is very well organised and there is always good structure to it.

"I hadn't heard much about the Blue Square North. I knew about the Blue Square South from a few of the lads who had been out on loan but the North was something new."

Walking into a tight-knit club like Gloucester as the only new signing would be intimidating for most but Green said a few familiar faces made it easier for him.

"I already knew James Palmer from Rovers," he said. "We pretty much grew up together. I knew Jack Pitcher from his trial with Rovers and he is a Winterbourne boy too and I knew Lee Marshall from Rovers youth."

Green, who trains on a full-time basis with Bristol Rovers and travels to Hartpury College twice a week to join his Gloucester team-mates, said he was enjoying life as a Tiger.

He said: "I get to play every week, which is brilliant. The last time I played this much football was when I was in the youth team."

Green is hoping his bosses at Rovers will be watching as he targets a new contract and a place in the first team.

"Coming to Gloucester, the key thing for me was to play games and get experience playing at a good level," he said.

"The Blue Square North is a great level for me to show Rovers what I can do and hopefully get a new contract for next season."