CROSS Keys are boosted by the return of influential centre Phil Williams for this evening’s (kick-off 7.15pm) clash away to Cardiff.

The Pandy Park outfit go into tonight’s clash looking for their sixth successive win but face a capital city side who are also enjoying a good season to date.

For Keys, today’s game is the first in a block of three tough away fixtures which pits them against Cardiff and Pontypridd in the Principality Premiership before travelling to Dublin to face Leintser A in the British and Irish Cup

Although it is a huge ask, head coach Greg Woods believes they can complete an impressive hat trick and win them all.

“It’s a big week for us having to go to Cardiff Arms Park, Sardis Road and Donnybrook, but we are excited by the challenges ahead,” he said.

“We will be targeting all three games as we look to compete on all fronts this season.

“We want to challenge at the top end of the table and to do that, we’ve got to beat the best sides.”

His men are sixth in the league with five wins and two defeats so far while Cardiff, whose coaching staff includes Keys’ former attack guru and Wales star Mark Ring, are third with six victories and two setbacks in the Premiership.

Woods is looking forward to the battle of wits ahead: “Cardiff are doing well this season, but so they should do with the squad they’ve got.

“It’ll be great to bump into Ringo again because I haven’t seen him for a while.

“I’m sure he will have analysed us to death – but it’s one thing knowing all about us, a completely different thing stopping us.”

Ring is a big fan of centre Williams and his return from a knee injury is a welcome one for Keys, although he is expected to be among the replacements, not the starting XV.

The visitors are also without midfield maestros Aled James (hamstring) and Nathan Williams (knee) as they continue their fight backs to full fitness.