YELLOWS’ aim for the remainder of the campaign should be to finish in the play-offs “at worst,” left-back Rory McKeown says.

Paul Carden’s side have been fighting at the right end of the Evo-Stik Premier Division for most of the campaign and currently sit fifth.

They trail leaders Altrincham by 12 points, a gap McKeown thinks is bridgeable as they move into the second half of the campaign.

Yellows travel to the leaders on Saturday, kick off 3pm, and have as many as four games in hand on the teams around them due to postponements, because of both weather and their run to the FA Trophy third round.

“Even when we haven’t been playing well, we’ve been picking up points,” McKeown said.

“That’s obviously bar the Shaw Lane game in December, which is a write-off for us.

“Even when we’re not winning games, we’re drawing and avoiding defeat.

“We’ve spoken about it a lot and we feel like we can go up. We think we’re capable of the play-offs at worst.

“It is a good squad we’ve got together, especially once we get some guys back from injury.

“The likes of Shaun Beeley and Liam Hynes have been missing and they are big, big players for us.”

“I definitely think we’ll be pushing for that top two, at worst we’ll be in the play-offs.”

The Northern Irishman is in his second spell at Cantilever Park after briefly featuring for Yellows last season before joining Southport.

He had trials with numerous National League and National League North clubs in the summer before finally agreeing to re-join Warrington in August.

The 24-year-old, who started his career with Ipswich Town and has experience of league football in Scotland with Kilmarnock and Raith Rovers, is the only Yellows player to complete every game in all competitions this campaign.

While admitting his desire to play at a higher level is no secret to the club, McKeown says he is more than happy to remain with Yellows for as long as possible.

“I’ve played every minute so far, but I’ve done that at most clubs I’ve been at,” he said.

“I usually keep myself quite fit so it’s not as hard as it sounds, but it is nice to be playing every week.

“I think there’s only me and Jay McCarten who have played every game so it’s nice to be trusted in that way by Cards (manager Paul Carden).

“I’ve got a contract until the end of the season. Warrington’s a great place to be at and somewhere I’ve been given the chance to show my abilities.

“I’m not going to lie, and Cards knows this himself, but I want to be playing full-time football.

“I do want to be playing higher and I’ve spoken with Cards about that. It is a stepping stone but it’s definitely one I’m enjoying, that’s for sure.”

Like many of Warrington’s players, McKeown says he cannot help but be impressed by the work Carden has done since arriving at Cantilever Park in October 2016.

“I came across Cards at the start of last year when he was at Tranmere. They showed an interest in signing me but it fell through unfortunately.

“Then when he came here in he got in touch. As soon as I knew he was interested, I was more than happy to sign on and help him.

“He’s brutally honest and he expects the same from the players. He gets on with all the lads very well.

“He’s been there and done it at league level so he’s a good guy to get advice off and have in your corner.”