City defender David McNamee believes the festive period can play a major role in deciding what lies ahead for the Sky Blues in 2008.

Iain Dowie's men play face four games over the next ten days, starting with a tough-looking trip to Blackpool on Saturday.

And the 27-year-old star, who has been in excellent form since recovering from a troublesome hamstring injury, reckons a consistent run of form will catapult City back into the play-off picture.

"It's going to be massive period for us," McNamee told Sky Blues World.

"The next couple of weeks will probably separate the clubs that are all tightly packed in the top half and we need to pick up as many points as we can to make sure we are in contention.

"But there are no easy games in this league and Blackpool is certainly no different.

"They are going reasonably well and Simon Grayson has got them playing some good football.

"We'll go there knowing that we need to put on a performance to get a result and if we play the way we know we can hopefully we can get all three points."

With a current transfer embargo set to be lifted soon, manager Iain Dowie has been given the go ahead to strengthen his squad in the New Year.

McNamee says he relishes the prospect of fresh competition his place in the side after battling it out for the right-back spot with Isaac Osbourne, whose natural position is in midfield.

He added: "If we are really looking to push on and get promotion, which we certainly are, then you look to strengthen the squad as much as possible.

"Competition for places tends to bring the best out of players and new faces are something that we will all welcome.

"I'm happy that things seem to be going well for me just now.

"Hopefully I can keep that going because I am enjoying my football here and, like everybody else, I am really looking forward to pushing on in the second-half of the season."