Jan van Deventer believes his Chester team have the quality to 'bridge the gap' between themselves and top-five side Hinckley.

Currently seventh in League Two North, resurgent Chester have been superb in the second half of the season with five victories in their last seven games.

Yet a clear gulf exists between the top five clubs and the rest of the league, with Chester currently 18 points adrift of tomorrow's opponents.

But Van Deventer maintains his side can match the league's best, after a superb display in their narrow 30-28 reverse to leaders Sale a fortnight ago.

He said: "On form alone you can see quite clearly how well those teams have played this year - the stats don't lie and they've racked up so many more victories than the chasing pack this season.

"Just looking at the league table you can see there's almost a top tier that's opened up between clubs like ourselves and them.

"But we've already shown our quality against strong teams and were very unlucky not come away from the Sale game with no more than two losing bonus points.

"That result has left us full of confidence right now, even though the postponement against South Leicester disrupted our momentum a little bit.

"Hinckley will be a really good test for us as a team and a chance for us to try to bridge the gap against a quality side.

"We know they're very physical up front with a great set-piece and a hard-working back row so we'll have to be at them early doors.

"We're taking a full-strength squad down there, which is great in terms of competition for places."

Sale will look to maintain their slender one-point lead at the summit with a home victory against Huddersfield, while second-placed Sedgley Park host Sheffield.

Title-outsiders Tynedale host Wharfedale, while Luctonians visit Otley, Stourbridge head to Macclesfield South leicester host Blaydon and Leicester Lions travel to Sheffield Tigers.