Steve Burr is sweating on his squad recovering from the sickness bug that contributed to the defeat at Grimsby Town heading into tonight’s trip to the New Bucks Head (7.45pm).
Gareth Roberts, Craig Hobson and Michael Kay all had to be withdrawn during the 3-0 loss and others with symptoms of the illness had to struggle through.
Burr has one of the smallest squads in the league but will not want to take chances for a game he and first team coach Jon McCarthy will have targeted as a chance to pick up three points.
Peter Winn and Matty Brown are nearing full fitness and could be brought back into the squad should the bug fail to clear up.
Burr was not too downbeat after the loss at Blundell Park, where the Blues competed well for 45 minutes before tailing off in the second half.
He was disappointed with the mistakes that led to two Grimsby goals, including a free header from a corner for Shaun Pearson for the first, but the manager felt the illness meant his side would always be hard pressed to take something from the game.
Burr said: “There was a lot to take out of our first half performance coming to a place like Grimsby, who I would think will be up there at the end of the season.
“I thought some of our passages of play and the way we got it down and knocked it about was very good.
“It was unfortunate I think that with one or two key players picking up an illness and for us to lose them lads it was going to be difficult.”
Chester are averaging a goal a game this season and the manager, who has extended Jadan Hall’s loan from Burnley for another month, remains keen to strengthen his forward line in an attempt to improve that return.
Bottom side Telford, who were promoted from the Conference North last season, have the worst defence in the league having shipped 33 goals but picked up their first win at the weekend with a 4-3 success at home to Torquay United.
Bucks boss Liam Watson will include ex-Chester pair Sean Clancy and Tony Gray, who has four goals this season, in his squad.
Like Burr, former Southport manager Watson will see tonight's game as an opportunity pick up some points and close the seven-point gap on the Blues.
Telford have conceded 33 goals already this season, the worst record in the league, and have still to keep a clean sheet.
