PROMOTION is not the only prize up for grabs at the County Ground tomorrow with Paul Sturrock anxious to recapture the missing' thousands who have turned their back on the club.

A chunk of the stay-aways will return to make up a near 15,000 crowd and the Town boss does not want a here today and gone tomorrow' scenario.

Sturrock insists the club can look no further than its own doorstep in the blame game for having haemorrhaged supporters but the visit of Walsall offers a chance to win at least some of them back.

The Town boss said: "This club has lost that potential (fan base) over the years, through administration, relegation, lack of money, we've lost them.

"Our job now is to bring them back and this (a full house) shows you they're there and willing, if the team can churn out a top-half finish in most seasons.

"That's a job in hand for me. I've seen the potential now, I've tasted it.

"Let's hope we reap all the benefits on Saturday and that a percentage of those fans will stay with us next season.

"It's Swindon Town's fault that these fans are not sitting in their stadium, there's no ifs, buts or maybes about it. What I'm saying is for this one let's have it'."

That means unrelenting, total support and nothing but positive backing from regulars and newcomers alike.

Sturrock hopes those witnessing their first League Two action of the campaign will join those who have been there every step of the way in roaring the team home.

He said: "They back this team for 90 minutes."

And when asked the question are Swindon Town going to be automatically promoted come five o'clock on Saturday?' the manager's answer is short and sweet.

He said: "I believe so."

Should the afternoon end in despair, then Town would still have a second bite in the shape of the play-offs. However, it is not a route the manager is keen to spend too much time worrying about.

He said: "We have another bite at cherry in that instance but we don't want that, we want the apple."

Town's home form has been impressive under Sturrock with only one league defeat suffered since he took charge back in November, a 1-0 reverse at the hands of Andy Monkhouse's Hartlepool United.