UNDER-FIRE Chester City boss Ian Rush has vowed to prove he has what it takes to be a top manager.

Despite criticism from fans at Tuesday's 3-0 home defeat by Cheltenham Town he believes he can still achieve his priority of at least keeping the club in the Football League.

City have won only once in League Two since they beat Kidderminster Harriers in October and the last time they scored a league goal was at Macclesfield on New Year's Day.

And the pressure will be piled on Rush and coach Mark Aizlewood tomorrow when City meet one of the teams below them in the table, Rushden & Diamonds, at the Saunders Honda Stadium, followed by another four-pointer at Kidderminster Harriers tomorrow week.

Although aware there are supporters who believe he isn't up to the job he remained defiant.

'The fans are entitled to be critical, but I don't feel under pressure,' he claimed. 'You have to live with criticism in this job. I have never doubted myself and I am strong enough to keep going.

'When I took the job I was told the first aim was to stay in the league and that remains my priority.'

The players' scheduled day off on Wednesday was cancelled in favour of a meeting to discuss the team's current form.

'Everyone had their say and everyone is determined to turn our form around,' Rush added. 'It is important we stick together and play for each other.'

And Rush admitted he is prepared to put his own tactical preferences to one side to play the way the players want tomorrow, but refused to go into details.

'You will have to wait and see,' he said. 'When we had our unbeaten run before Christmas we weren't conceding goals, so we must start to keep clean sheets again.'

The City boss refuses to increase the pressure by insisting tomorrow's match is a must-win fixture.

'What I can say for sure is that we must play a lot better than we did on Tuesday,' he said. 'We must play with pride and give 100% effort. Michael Walsh went on as a sub on Tuesday and embarrassed some of the more senior players. I will not be afraid to play youngsters if the seniors don't respond.'

Changes are certain tomorrow with skipper Paul Carden returning after serving his two-match ban, but David Bayliss is suspended after being sent off on Tuesday.

Defender Darren Edmondson played for 90 minutes in the reserves' 1-0 defeat by Manchester United on Wednesday and has a good chance of returning following a long lay-off. Michael Brown, who was concussed in the 3-0 defeat at Swansea last Saturday and missed Tuesday's game, could also play if given the all-clear by the club doctor.

Michael Branch had four stitches in a head wound on Tuesday, but will be fit for tomorrow.

Striker Taiwo Atieno joined City from Walsall on loan on Tuesday and made his debut against Cheltenham as a substitute and Joe O'Neill has signed from Preston on a permanent transfer. Rush said yesterday there would be no more signings this week.