Steve Burr has warned his team might need to adapt their game during tonight's clash with AFC Telford United (7.45pm).

Chester came unstuck against a battling and hard working Nuneaton Town side on Saturday and can expect more of the same from the Bucks, who are bottom of the Vanarama Conference.

Telford frustrated second-placed Grimsby Town to gain a point on the weekend and will have a similar plan for the Blues, who produce some free flowing football but can struggle to break down stubborn opponents.

Burr said: "We've got to adjust sometimes against teams that are going to battle, we've got to battle with teams. We want to play but I said to the lads after the Nuneaton game it's not always going to be like that.

"Nuneaton closed us down quickly and got in amongst us but when there's games like that you've got to adapt and that's the other side of winning matches."

Kingsley James, who was badly missed the the 3-2 loss at Nuneaton, returns from a one-game suspension and the manager hopes Ben Heneghan will be fit too, although Josh O'Keefe remains sidelined.

Craig Hobson will hope for a start after he came off the bench to score twice in the 3-2 loss to Nuneaton, although Craig Mahon, Matty Hughes, whose future remains unclear with Fleetwood Town still to agree to his loan being extended into a third month, and Rhys Oates have linked up well as a front three.

Chester, who were drawn away to Telford in the FA Trophy first round proper draw on Monday, recorded a 2-1 win at New Bucks Head when the sides clashed on September 30.

Mike Grogan gave the Bucks the lead but John Rooney equalised before the break and Sean McConville headed home what proved to the winner on 66 minutes.

Telford are nine points from safety and have a huge amount of work to do over the second half of the season to keep themselves in non-league's top flight.

Manager Liam Watson has strengthened his squad since the previous meeting between the clubs, bringing in ex-Blues keeper Freddy Hall and loaning Karl Ledsham and Andy Parry, who both played for him at Southport, from Lincoln City and Luton Town.

Ex-Chester FC keeper Freddy Hall is now with AFC Telford United
Ex-Chester FC keeper Freddy Hall is now with AFC Telford United

Defender Neil Byrne and Grogan are poised for returns after missing the draw with Grimsby while Tony Gray, part of the Conference North title-winning squad under Neil Young, and Kristian Platt, who came through the ranks at Chester, are familiar names to the home fans.

Combative midfielder Godfrey Poku and wing back Ryan Higgins impressed when the sides clashed in September.

Telford travel to Bristol City in the FA Cup second round on Sunday and Watson has challenged his players to earn themselves a place in the team to face the League One leaders.

"The players can all play themselves in or out of the team for the weekend and hopefully that will help motivate them more tonight," Watson told the Shropshire Star.

Burr, whose side are on a seven-match unbeaten run at the Swansway Chester Stadium, expects the Bucks to provide a stern test and will not want to drop more points against a side struggling at the wrong end of the table.

"Liam is fighting for his life down there isn't he and they have worked so hard to get into the Conference I'm sure they are not just going to give it up so we know how its tough its going to be," said Burr.

"I think it goes to show that this league this season is a very strong league and everybody on their day can beat everybody."