Steve Burr can lead Chester FC into the FA Cup third round for the first time since 2007 tonight but has reiterated his team have a 'tough' challenge to overcome.

Barnsley were given an almighty fright at Oakwell on December 7 and could count themselves fortunate not to escape with a goalless draw and a second bite of the cherry.

Danny Wilson's side travel to the Swansway Chester Stadium for tonight's rematch (7.45pm) live on BT Sport with a third round spot, a home tie with Championship club Middlesbrough and £27,000 in prize money providing the incentive.

Barnsley have not won in five and a 3-1 defeat at Walsall on Saturday has left the Tykes only three points off the League One relegation places.

Chester on the other hand have lost just once in seven and are unbeaten in eight matches at the Swansway with their last home defeat back on September 9.

The ingredients are there for an upset but Barnsley have something to prove after being booed off in the previous meeting and Burr expects them to come out fighting.

Burr said: "They're a good side aren't they?

"We had them watched at Walsall so we'll get the reports on that but we know it's going to be tough but we'll give it a go."

Craig Mahon's first half shot hit the crossbar after being saved by Ross Turnbull at Oakwell
Craig Mahon's first half shot hit the crossbar after being saved by Ross Turnbull at Oakwell

Chester are without on-loan Barnsley forward Rhys Oates again so Craig Hobson returns after being left on the bench in the 1-1 FA Trophy draw at AFC Telford United on Saturday.

Michael Kay and Matty Brown were both taken off as a precaution in that game, Kay because he had been booked and Brown after picking up a knock.

Brown should be fine and Jon Worsnop, outstanding at Oakwell despite fracturing two bones in his cheek, will continue in goal with the aid of a protective face mask but Josh O'Keefe and Peter Winn are both out and Tom Peers is cup-tied.

Burr's team has been settled of late and the manager will probably select the same side that started at Oakwell.

Ben Heneghan should continue on the right side of midfield, although the versatile 21-year-old was moved up front and then into the back four against Telford.

Burr said: "Michael got a yellow card so we didn't want to have him missing and Browny took a knock to the knee so we'll have to see how he us and we're pretty thin bare on the ground at the minute but hopefully he'll be okay.

"We had to bring Michael off and we moved Gareth Roberts over when we knew Browny was struggling so we had to rearrange it and Ben's gone from right winger to centre forward to right back to centre half but he's done a good job for us and we're pleased to have Ben because he's a lad who can play in one or two positons."

Barnsley went ahead at Walsall through centre half Lewin Nyatanga but the Saddlers overturned that lead inside five minutes and then wrapped up the win late on.

Wilson insisted the final score was harsh on his team and felt there were more positives in the performance than against the Blues the previous week.

Nyatanga limped off injured and looks set to miss out tonight along with Peter Ramage, Joe Dudgeon, James Bailey, Jean-Yves M’voto and Sam Winnall.

Wilson reckons a win tonight would give his squad a much needed confidence boost and help them rediscover some form.

"We’ve got a great incentive to win on Tuesday night because it would be a tie against Middlesbrough in the next round," Wilson told The Star.

"If we didn’t have an incentive to win on Tuesday, then it might be more difficult to pick the players up. As professionals we’ve got to make sure we bounce back.”

"The fans want to look forward to something going into the New Year, so there’s nothing better than getting to the next round of the FA Cup.

"The match is going to be a stepping stone to getting back on the horse again, so to speak.

"We have certainly got to perform on Tuesday night because it’s far from a forgone conclusion that we’re going to get through."

Barnsley manager Danny Wilson
Barnsley manager Danny Wilson