Steve Burr insists Chester FC are capable of putting together a strong second half of the season and making the play-offs - but accepts it will be a tall order.

Chester entertain Braintree Town on Sunday (3pm) in their first home game of 2015 with the manager urging his side to find greater consistency.

Altrincham punished a woeful performance to run out 4-1 winners on New Year's Day yet just four days before the Blues had won 2-0 at promotion hopefuls FC Halifax Town.

Burr, who has added Ryan Higgins and Josh Green to his squad , has been frustrated at his team's inability to put together a consistent run of results.

"We've had a lot of good plaudits this season about how we've played and what we've done, but that's in the past now and it's about what we do on a regular basis and Altrincham was the last game and it was poor," said Burr.

"I'm looking for more consistency from the squad and I don't want to be sitting around the middle of the table or below halfway looking over our shoulders every five minutes.

"I'd like us to go on a run that could take us into the play-offs. I think it's going to be difficult but I suppose overall the improvement we have made over the season has been good.

"I want to kick on with this club, we've got a great fan-base and we just really need to look at improving the squad, which I intend to do."

Chester are without Ibou Touray, who begins a three-game ban after he was sent off at Moss Lane, so Gareth Roberts should return at left-back.

Green, a central midfielder on loan from Fleetwood Town, will feature assuming clearance comes through in time but right-back Higgins might have to wait for his debut as AFC Telford United have not released his registration.

Craig Mahon and Tom Peers are pushing for starts but winger Jamie Menagh, who has been in and out of the team this season, will not be involved having agreed his release from the club.

Chester recorded a 3-1 win at Braintree back in August thanks to two goals from Sean McConville and one from the now retired Chris Iwelumo.

Kenny Davis had given the Irons a half-time lead from the spot after John Disney was penalised for handball but the Blues scored three times in a superb second half.

Braintree head to the Swansway Chester Stadium on a good run of four wins from five games in all competitions.

Chez Isaac, Simeon Akinola and Dan Sparkes earned them a 3-0 win at home to Dartford on New Year's Day, all of the goals coming in the last 12 minutes.