Martin Haag takes confidence from Nottingham's home form

Nottingham head coach Martin Haag says his side will take great confidence from their home form when they try to overturn a nine-point deficit against Bedford in the Championship play-offs.

The Green & Whites lost 26-17 away on Saturday but Haag believes they can hit back at Meadow Lane on Friday evening.

"We know that we can play a lot better," Haag told BBC Sport.

"We know what we need to do and that we can do it so we are confident. We have been great at home this season."

Nottingham only lost twice away from home in the regular season and beat Friday's opponents by eight points in their league meeting at Meadow Lane in January.

On Saturday Haag's men needed a late penalty try to keep their hopes alive but Haag says there is plenty of room for improvement.

"We got there in the end and we got a try," Haag said. "Unfortunately we did not put our game together before that point.

"But that just shows the character of the team. At one stage we were 16 points down but we deserved the try at the end

"It's half-time and we are nine points down at half-time. it's disappointing but we can play a lot better and we will have to.

"We know what we have to do. We look forward to a very special day.

"We have it in our armoury. We just need to be relaxed and calm. If we put our game out there and how it has been at home, then we know it will be a great game.

"We need to embrace the challenge. It's a fantastic opportunity and if our performance is right we will get the nine points, but we need to get it right.

"It's do or die and 80 minutes of hard graft."

Haag is also hopeful his side will be boosted by the return of key duo Tim Streather and Andrew Savage.

Centre Streather, who is joining Saracens in the summer, has a tight back and wing Savage has a slight Achilles injury and both missed last week's loss.

"They are desperate to play but they have to be fit," Haag said.

"Hopefully they will be involved, It is nothing major, We are trying to get them right and hopefully we will get them right."