MARCUS Bignot says Guiseley's home league double header is a good opportunity for them to further their play-off charge in Vanarama National League North.

The Lions joint-manager wants his side to target a six-point maximum haul from their clash with fifth-placed Brackley Town on Saturday followed by the visit of managerless Kidderminster Harriers to Nethermoor next Tuesday.

Guiseley go into this weekend's encounter with then Northamptonshire side after stopping the rot of two successive league and FA Trophy defeats with a 2-2 draw at Leamington.

Bignot's men are in and around the play-off picture in ninth place, with 29 points from their opening 17 games of the season, a run which has only included six defeats.

He says Guiseley can further cement their play-off push with a good test against two very different challenges ahead.

Bignot said: "It's an opportunity for us. We have two home games against very good opponents. It's two home games we are going to look forward to and that are very challenging.

"It was important that we didn't lose on Saturday against Leamington. It stopped a run of defeats. It gives us a basis to work from. It injects a bit of confidence in the group.

"It is good for us to find our way in terms of how we play and our principles.

"What a good game to gage ourselves, against a team around the play-offs. Brackley are a benchmark. It's important for us to get a home win.

After the visit of Brackley, Guiseley welcome fifth-from-bottom Harriers to Nethermoor after manager John Pemberton resigned last week. Bignot played 43 times for the Worcestershire club in 1996 and 1997 before moving on to Crewe Alexandra.

On Kidderminster, Bignot added: "I believe Russell Penn is the caretaker, so we are going into the unknown. John Pemberton had a way of playing.

"We are playing against a group who don't have a manager, so there's less pressure on them. They are playing with more freedom and they can be dangerous."

The forthcoming double header are two of Guiseley's five games during the rest of December including four games in 11 days over the festive period.

Bignot said: "We will look at this block of games and after them if we can be in and around it through the end of Christmas and into the New Year there will be a sense of optimism and dreaming and encouraging. But we're around it at the moment and it would be nice to get through December around it."

Meanwhile, Guiseley Academy graduates Aleks Starcenko and Will Thornton have both had their loans extended.

Midfielder Starcenko will stay at Hyde United until February 1, 2020 after enjoying an initial one-month loan.

Defender Thornton has also had his loan extended at Gainsborough Trinity and will remain with the club until January 1, 2020.