EBBW Vale head coach Jason Strange has called on his charges to return to their powerful best as they attempt to get revenge for their heartbreaking 2013 Swalec Cup loss to Pontypridd.

That the Steelmen are seen to be in a sticky patch after a pair of narrow defeats to Cross Keys and Aberavon just goes to show how strong their return to the Principality Premiership has been.

They still remain second in the table and are looking good for a place in the playoffs yet they need to produce their best display of the season if they are to keep chasing silverware on two fronts.

Ponty have lost just once to Welsh opposition this season, thumped Bedwas 51-14 last weekend and are chasing a third double on the spin.

"We are under no illusions that if we don't play to our top level then we have no chance of getting the result," said Strange.

"I expect us to be more physical and for our mindset to be better because we are on the back of two disappointing performances.

"If we want to be up at the top of the table then we need to be more consistent because we did a few good things against Cross Keys and Aberavon but there have been periods when we've been really poor."

It promises to be a bumper crowd at Eugene Cross Park on Saturday afternoon and they are in for a treat if the encounter matches the drama of the meeting two years ago.

It looked like Ebbw, then of the Championship, were going to knock out Ponty only for Chris Dicomidis' try and Dai Flanagan's conversion to break home hearts at the death.

"The game and occasion should be fantastic," said Strange. "Ponty are well coached and have some really good individuals.

"We are up against a quality side but this game couldn't have come at a better time for us after our last two games."

The Steelmen do, however, have a lengthy list of absentees with their injury problems especially severe in the back row with Ronny Kynes, Spencer Gibson and Cameron Regan out along with influential lock Ashley Sweet.