Steve Burr has told ‘unsung hero’ Craig Hobson to start believing he can cause problems for Vanarama Conference defences.

Hobson might not have grace and elegance but few can match him for determination, work-rate and endeavour.

Burr knows the 26-year-old better than most and feels his tirelessness and stature make him an ideal focal point.

But even targetmen have to contribute goals and the manager wants the forward to take some confidence from scoring in his last two matches.

“He’s got a lot going for him in terms of his physical presence and I think sometimes his doesn’t have enough belief in himself,” said Burr.

“Hobby has been great and he’s a bit of an unsung hero for us. He never stops working and of all the lads who have stepped out from the Conference North he’s been excellent.

“I’ve been delighted with him and it’s pleasing to see him getting amongst the goals and getting on the end of chances because that’s what he needs to do.”

Hobson will again be tasked with providing a platform the Blues when Macclesfield Town visit the Swansway Chester Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

Burr accepts his side are under pressure to repair some of the damage the defeats to Barnet and FC Halifax Town have inflicted.

Another concern has been the failure to put together a complete 90 minute performance.

Hobson gave the Blues the lead at Gateshead last weekend but a below-par second half allowed the home side to overturn the deficit and win 2-1.

“Our fans have been fantastic with us and to be honest with have given them nothing in the first two home games,” said Burr.

“For us it’s now about finding some consistency over 90 minutes because we’ve had some good signs and we’ve had some not so good signs.

“But when you are struggling and you concede you can just see the confidence draining away from the lads and that’s what happened against Gateshead.”

Although there was no sign of activity before the transfer window closed on Monday, the manager confirmed he was still looking to strengthen his squad with a little room in the budget to bring in a free agent.

“We’re looking at lads who haven’t been picked up elsewhere so we’ll see what happens,” he said.

Burr did bring in ex-Cheltenham Town keeper Connor Roberts last week to compete with Jon Worsnop and signed Jadan Hall on loan from Premier League club Burnley.

Hall made an encouraging debut at Gateshead and should keep his place for the weekend.

“Jadan has been in and amongst the goals for the under-21s at Burnley and we’re hoping he can do that for us,” said Burr.

Craig Mahon should return to the squad after missing the last two games but there are concerns over the fitness of Danny Harrison, Kingsley James and Peter Winn.

Burr said: “Peter has been struggling since the Gateshead game and then Kingsley and Danny picked up knocks in training, which isn’t what we need.

“We’re going to give them as long as possible and will have to see how they are on Saturday.”