ST MICHAELS captain James Elliott has labelled Saturday's clash with Lake Albert as a "must win" as the Saints look to keep in touch with the top four.

St Michaels sit in fifth spot with just the one win and will take on a winless Lake Albert team looking to get off the mark in the two-day clash at McPherson Oval.

The Saints made the preliminary final last season but is currently losing touch with the top four and sit just six points ahead of Lake Albert on the bottom of the ladder.

Elliott said the Saints need some serious points from the match against Lake Albert.

"We need to win this one," Elliott said.

"It's a must-win game for us really, for a bit of confidence.

"We can't afford to lose these games that we should win."

Elliott said it is no secret where the Saints' improvement must come from.

"Our batting," he said.

"We've been ordinary with our batting.

"We've lacked application, we need to dig in and get some runs on the board.

"It's a matter of playing it tough.

"We've had a few in and out through the year, it's good to get a solid list together now to stick to it.

"We've definitely got a strong bowling and fielding team, it's just our batting that has tapered away."

St Michaels will be without paceman David Garness for the second day of the match, while Lake Albert will be without Kurt Robertson.

Both will be away with Riverina duties.

Elliott knows the Saints will come up against a Lake Albert team desperate for victory.

"They'll be looking at this as a game they can win," he said.

"We can't be underestimating them.

"Lake has some quality players and they're the kind of team that on their day, they can beat anyone."