PETER JACKSON takes his squad into Christmas still brimming with confidence Town are on promotion track.

The manager's belief is far from dented by a run of two points from nine in the build-up to Boxing Day's trip to Rotherham (12.30).

Two years ago, Town scored a 100% holiday record to catapult them towards a successful play-off campaign and, this time, Jackson believes they are even better placed.

With Port Vale, Barnsley and Gillingham to follow the Millmoor trip, Jackson was today working on shooting skills to sharpen the attack after successive blanks and spoke of his holiday hopes.

"At the start of the season, everyone would have been very happy for us to be going into Boxing Day with 40 points on the board," said Jackson, who has Danny Adams back after serving a one-match ban and Martin McIntosh ready for action against his former club.

"Double that 40 points in the second half of the season and we will fly into the play-offs - add a few more points and we will go up.

"Two points a game is almost always enough at this level - that's where the consistency comes in - and we are only four points behind that consistency of return right now.

"That's not bad at all in a 46-game season and it underlines why I'm so confident we can kick on from here and have a good holiday period."

Last season, second-placed Hull City were promoted automatically with 86 points.

In the previous five seasons at this level, QPR went straight up with only 83 points, Crewe with 86, Reading on 84, Rotherham on 91 and Gillingham 85.

"I'm very positive and the players are very positive, because we know what a good position we are in," added Jackson.

"We are getting back to our possession work in training today - passing, movement and creativity - because I want us to get on the ball more in midfield against Rotherham and improve the service to the frontmen.

"That's why we're doing the shooting and finishing work as well and we'll be looking to make it pay off."

Rotherham - who have Alan Knill picking the team following the departure of Mick Harford - expect midfield duo Michael Keane and Lee Williamson to be fit after taking knocks in the 2-1 win at Bradford, their first in 18 matches.

"That's going to give them some confidence and make it a real derby battle," added Jackson.

Fans should note Town's ticket office, general office and Stadium Superstore will close at 3pm tomorrow.