IAN Rush faces old mate David Hodgson's play-off-chasing Darlington tomorrow as the Blues aim to stretch their unbeaten run to four games.

And the City boss has given his team a vote of confidence for the run-in. He wants to reach a target of 50 points as soon as possible and with five to get, he believes the team which beat Bury on Monday can put League Two safety within reach.

But he will have to put friendships aside at 3pm. Quakers manager Hodgson is one of his best pals from their An-field days and they speak on the telephone at least once a week.

The pair will be doing their best to beat each other when City make their first visit to Darlington's new stadium - and Rush has more than one reason to make it a winning one.

His appointment as City manager was announced before the game against Darlington at the Saunders Honda Stadium in August, but the Quakers ruined his day when they went on to win 3-0.

City go into the match on the back of a 2-1 home win against Bury on Monday - their seventh point from the last nine - thanks to two goals from Ryan Lowe on his home debut. But it wasn't an impressive performance.

'Having played two games in four days, the players were a bit tired,' said Rush. 'We gave them a couple of days off to recover but they will be ready for it on Saturday.

'I think we will have to expect a backlash from Darlington's last home game when they were beaten by Kidderminster, but the key for us is to concentrate for 90 minutes.

'Darlington are desperate to get into the play-offs and I think they will, so it is going to be a very hard game. Although they have been scoring goals, they have also been conceding so they give you a chance.

'We just have to keep battling away, working hard and the sooner we are safe the better.'

Rush is expected to name an unchanged starting line-up, although there is still a doubt about goalkeeper Wayne Brown who missed the last two games with a shoulder injury.

Stephen Vaughan has recovered from a groin injury and captained the reserves in a 1-0 defeat at Macclesfield on Wednesday in the Pontin's League.

Chester have confirmed they are interested in signing two Doncaster Rovers players, striker Gregg Blundell and midfielder John Doolan.

Blundell still has more than a year left on his contract but has indicated he would like to move back to the area, while Doolan will be available on a Bosman free transfer in the summer.

'They are just two players we have identified to strengthen our squad and we will be monitoring the situation between now and the end of the season,' added Rush.

Chester are giving trials to two young players from Thailand. Under 20 international Sompong Soleb, an 18-year-old striker, and 19-year-old midfielder Nattapol Plyabatiskul watched Monday's game against Bury and travelled with City's reserve team to Wednesday's Pontins League match at Macclesfield Town

The players' trip has been sponsored by the Thai-based brewery Chang Beers, who sponsor Everton.

Chester reserves go to Carlisle next Wednesday for a Pontin's League match.