Chester FC must be prepared to match up to Lincoln City physically, reckons Tom Shaw.

The Imps have had success this term with a direct approach centred on 6ft4in striker Matt Rhead, who has scored 10 times.

Experienced midfielder Shaw believes handling Rhead and picking up more second balls than the visitors could determine who emerges on top when the sides meet at the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

"I'd expect Lincoln to be quite direct and knock balls up to big Matt Rhead so it's important that we try and win as many as them as we can," said Shaw, who will face his former Alfreton Town teammate Bradley Wood.

"If we can't win that first one then we've got to make sure we react quickly and pick up that second ball better than we did at Barrow midweek."

Shaw, who has scored in the last two matches, is disappointed to see the Blues sitting in 16th place in the Vanarama National League, particularly after such a promising start. However, the 28-year-old insists he has seen nothing for Chester to be fearful of and says the key to climbing the table will be finding greater consistency as individuals and as a team.

Shaw said: "I honestly don't think there's been a standout team this season and that's what makes it so disappointing to be where we are in the league.

"We've got good players here and we've showed that at times but we've got to do it more often and if we can do that then results will start to improve."