ANTHONY JOHNSON hopes that Chester can “find their rhythm” again as their disjointed campaign resumes at home to Alfreton Town.

Prior to their enforced three-week fixture break from National League North action, the Blues were in the midst of a seven-game unbeaten streak in the division.

The hiatus in their season has seen them leapfrogged by some of their promotion rivals, with Chester now in eighth place and 11 points off the summit.

Their return to league action follows a 2-1 Cheshire Cup win over Witton Albion in midweek, with Johnson and joint-manager Bernard Morley looking to recapture some positive momentum.

Johnson said: “After the initial disruption of not being able to play home games because of the water damage at the ground, a second break at this stage of the season was the last thing we needed.

“Personally I’ve never known anything like it in football, particularly this early in the season.

“So everyone now is just desperate to get started again and the Alfreton game is the start of a massive month for us.

“We’re playing catch up with some of the sides around us now and hopefully the Witton game has at least brought a little bit of that sharpness back.

“We were on a great run before the Dunston game in the FA Cup and now the lads need to find their rhythm again.”

As part of their due diligence on Saturday's opponents, Johnson and Morley were in attendance for Alfreton’s recent 3-1 defeat at Altrincham.

The scouting exercise has since been undermined by Alfreton boss Billy Heath recruiting heavily in the transfer market

Striker Reece Styche is the latest addition to the Reds’ squad, with the Gibraltar international striker joining fellow new recruits David Lynch and Sam Hird.

Johnson admits his side could come up against a much-changed side to the one he saw ‘played off the park’ by Altrincham.

“They’ve made some quality signings” added Johnson.

“The positions they’ve strengthened in could basically give them a brand new spine to their team.

“Altrincham played them off the park when we watched them and a lot of the things we learned rom that game have basically gone out of the window now.”

“The fact that there is an element of the unknown keeps our minds sharp in terms of preparation.

“We know they’re a direct and physical side - that’s part and parcel of the way they play - and I don’t expect that to change much.

“We’ll be ready for the game and we want to impose our own style on it, so Alfreton are worrying more about the problems we’ll be causing them.”

Blues midfielder Scott Burton misses the game with a knee injury, with Matty Hughes and George Green also sidelined with long-term problems.

Former Chester loan striker James Roberts has made the move to Hereford from Halesowen in time for tomorrow’s trip to Boston, while Kayode Odejayi has hailed Guiseley’s management team of ex-Blues boss Marcus Bignot, Russ O’Neill and Paul Clayton.

Guiseley are 11th in the table ahead of a home clash with high-flying Kidderminster, Odejayi saying: “Credit to Marcus, Russ and Paul, they got the recruitment spot on, they put together, including the boys from last year, a really good group.”

Leaders Chorley visit third placed Bradford PA, Kevin Wilkin’s Brackley head to FC United, Telford entertain York and Spenymoor face Curzon.

Altrincham host Ashton, Leamington welcome Darlington, Blyth visit Southport and Stockport tackle Nuneaton.