Steve Burr hopes his side will thrive on the ‘special atmosphere’ of the mouthwatering clash with bitter rivals Wrexham on Saturday (12pm), admitting he would love to be lining up for the game.

Just two points separate the Blues from Aldershot Town, Hereford United and Dartford with three games to go and two relegation berths still to be filled.

Given those three clubs are in action on Good Friday, Burr’s side could find themselves in the bottom four for the first time since mid-January come 4.45pm tomorrow.

Burr was a prolific scorer in non-league circles and his all-action approach earned him cult hero status at Macclesfield Town.

He cut his managerial teeth with Nuneaton Town and Hucknall Town before successful spells with Northwich Victoria, Stalybridge Celtic and Kidderminster Harriers but concedes has not experienced a rivalry quite like this.

Burr said: “I used to get going for every game but even more so the big games and I remember games between Macc and Altrincham and Northwich and Witton had quite a fierce rivalry.

“Everyone has got their rivals and games like this but some are bigger than others because of the fan bases, and the potential for both Chester and Wrexham is huge.

"The two clubs have gone their separate ways over the past few years and this is a game the fans will have been looking forward to.

“As a player I used to love these kind of games and I’m sure there will be a special atmosphere and we have got to make sure we channel that in the right way.”

Chester travelled to Grimsby Town last weekend but returned empty-handed after a 2-1 defeat to the promotion hopefuls.

A home game with a Wrexham side in transition under new manager Kevin Wilkin looks to represent a more realistic chance of picking up a win, although the form book counts for little in games like these.

Wrexham went into the campaign with high hopes but a 2-0 win for the Blues at the Racecourse back in August demonstrated the backwards steps taken under old boss Andy Morrell.

Burr said: “I’m glad we have got a game like this because the atmosphere will be good and that should put a few more butterflies in the players stomachs, get the adrenalin going and it’s the kind of game you want to be involved in.”

Wrexham warmed up for the game with a comfortable 3-0 win over Wilkin’s former club Nuneaton Town and include ex-Blues defenders Dave Artell and Neil Ashton.

Chester will be without Michael Kay after the defender, who has been so impressive since switching to centre half, was hit with a two-match ban for collecting 10 bookings this season.

Gareth Seddon (toe), Lewis Turner (hip) and Nathan Turner (ankle) are nursing knocks but are hoping to be fit while Paul Linwood, Luke Ashworth and skipper George Horan are in contention for the two centre back spots.

Burr said: “It’s a massive blow to lose Michael because he’s been playing really well but that’s how it’s gone for us this season.

“We have got three games to go and it’s in our hands. We have managed to keep ourselves out of the bottom four but this is crunch time now.

"There will be nothing better than beating Wrexham. I am a believer that formations don’t win you matches, players win you matches and we will pick the players that will give us the best chance of getting the win.”