Calum McIntyre has described the response from his Chester players as 'first class' as the Blues prepare for their final home game of season.

Caretaker boss McIntyre has been thrust into the spotlight since Marcus Bignot's sacking last week, and will take charge of his already-relegated side at the Deva for the clash with Maidstone United on Saturday (3pm).

The 24-year-old academy head coach hopes the club's supporters will turn out in greater numbers than the recent 3-2 home victory over Bromley, where the crowd dipped below 800, Chester's lowest league crowd since reforming in 2010, and he intends to 'put smiles on the faces' of the long-suffering faithful, who have seen just their side win just six times at home since December 2016.

McIntyre confirmed teenage defender Shaun Hobson has returned to parent club Bournemouth, having made 13 appearances and shown plenty of promise in recent weeks. Lucas Dawson, Matty Waters and Dominic Vose all expected to miss out through injury, while Gary Roberts is a doubt with a calf strain, but Andy Halls could return.

"It's the last home game of the season and the sole objective has to be putting a smile back on the faces of the supporters that have turned up week in, week out in what has been an immensely disappointing season," said McIntyre, who remains bookmakers favourite to land the role on a permanent basis, despite stressing he didn't want the job full-time after last week's 4-2 loss at Boreham Wood.

"The lads have been first class in some challenging circumstances this week. It's worth recognising that a large portion of our current group have played just a handful of games and really can't be looked at as holding any real responsibility for the position we have found ourselves in on the pitch.

"Please come and recognise their efforts and we'll be doing everything we can to give the fans something to smile about.

"We've done our preparation for Maidstone, they got a big result against Fylde last week and know a point really guarantees their safety for next season. For us it's about putting on a performance and demonstrating our talent on the ball.

"We showed in glimpses last week what we were looking to produce and have had more time this week to refine this and add some detail."

McIntyre is set to hand a full debut to academy graduate Nathan Brown, after the 19-year-old scored the winning goal off the bench against Bromley. Teenage defender Alex Downes could also start, with the squad down to bare bones.

"It's going to be an opportunity for us to give Nathan Brown his full debut," he added.

"His substitute appearances have give a taster of what he's about and I'll be delighted to give him that opportunity. He won't be alone, it's looking likely that we will name another of our youngsters in the starting XI with two others included on the bench.

"It's so important that there is a crowd in to support these lads on a huge occasion for them. Please turn out and get behind them and show them what we're about, as they want to show you that the future of the club can be bright.

"You will see an XI that includes young lads beginning their career in the game as well as a host of home grown and local players with a management team that are your own."