Hampton & Richmond Borough striker Lawrence Yaku is hoping his return to full fitness can help fire the Beavers to Blue Square South safety.

The Beveree veteran bagged his first goals of 2010 in a 2-1 win over Basingstoke Town earlier this month, before laying on Ian Hodges’ winner in Saturday’s 1-0 triumph at Bishop’s Stortford.

The result made it seven points from the last three games for boss Alan Devonshire’s men, which has lifted the mood at Station Road as Hampton bid to beat the drop after a miserable last three months of the campaign.

Usually prolific Yaku has been goal shy by his standards this season - having failed to reach double figures as yet - but he believes that will change now he has shaken off the effects of a lingering hamstring injury.

”It was good to a get couple of goals in God knows how long and hopefully I can get a few more. I’ve only scored six or seven goals, which is poor for me,” he said.

“I’ve had a hamstring problem that has never really been allowed to go away. Because of the injuries we have had and the size of our squad, we have all been playing with various knocks.

“I’m getting back towards being 100 per cent and so are others in the squad. That could be a reason why we seem to have turned a bit of corner recently.

“To be brutally honest we have simply not been performing like we have done in the past. We need to kick on and get ourselves in to the safety of mid-table.

“The last thing we want is a relegation battle.”

Devonshire’s squad has been decimated by injuries and departures this season, as the powers-that-be have gradually trimmed the playing budget to cope with the economic downturn.

Yaku admits it has played havoc with selection, but the recent revival has given everyone the belief there is something to salvage from an otherwise disappointing campaign.

“The club is a much happier place to be at the moment. It has been horrible. We couldn’t wait for the form of the Christmas period to end, but it just carried on, “ he added.

“I can’t put my finger on what has changed. The core of the team has remained the same - even with the departures - and hopefully now confidence is starting to improve.

“Apart from Newport, I don’t think there has been a single team that has out-played us. As long as we keep picking up points we should be okay.”

Hampton’s next three games: Feb 20 Newport County (h), 23 Weston-Super-Mare (a), Mar 3 Havant & Waterlooville (h).