Big-spending Forest Green Rovers represent a daunting challenge for Steve Burr and his wounded troops tonight (7.45pm).

Having made a disastrous start to the new Vanarama Conference season on Saturday, the squad head to the New Lawn attempting to start over and leave the 5-0 hammering to Barnet behind them. 

Lee Hughes scored as Rovers ground out a 1-0 win at Southport on the opening afternoon and the Gloucestershire club are short-priced favourites to maintain that perfect start.

Chester are almost certain to be without injured centre back Michael Kay (knee) with Kieran Charnock expected to continue to deputise.

Central midfielder Danny Harrison begins a three-game ban after his red card on Saturday and Burr might choose to change the shape of his side with no obvious replacement.

It was not so much the defeat to Barnet but the size and manner of the loss that was so concerning, and the team were as shocked as the supporters.

But the manager knows dwelling on what happened will not help and the process of putting things right began on the training ground on Monday morning.

Burr said: "It won't be difficult to lift them because they're all disappointed with how things have gone.

"All the dressing room haven't been involved in a 45 minutes like that in particular."

Under owner Dale Vince, Forest Green have started the last three campaigns among the promotion favourites but have failed to live up to expecations.

Manager Ady Pennock, starting his first full season in charge, overhauled his squad in the summer and fielded seven new signings at Southport.

New faces include powerful forward Jon Parkin, talented midfielder Elliott Frear and experienced fullback David Pipe.

Burr knows few will give his side much chance of picking up a result tonight but that means there will be no pressure on the Blues.

He said: "They've spent money again this season and we know how tough it's going to be there."

Chester lost 3-0 in the corresponding fixture last season with James Norwood's excellent strike supplementing a brace from Hughes.

Pennock has warned his team must be wary of a Blues side looking to make amends for a dreadful start.

"They are a good team," he told Rovers official website.

"You have to remember they were down to ten men after 15 minutes as well. I think people forget that - they just see the result.

"They are a good side with good players and they will be licking their wounds. The manager will definitely want a response from them so it will be a tough game."