By Harry Dwyer.
Chester interim manager Connell Rawlinson will be looking to further his unbeaten record when his side take on North-West rivals Southport at the Deva Stadium on Saturday.
Since taking charge of the Seals at the start of the month, Chester have picked up two 2-1 victories (at home to Darlington and away to Merthyr Town) and a 1-1 draw away at Kidderminster.
Chester’s best player of late has undoubtedly been midfielder Fin Shrimpton, who has managed to find the back of the net eight times in nine games, and will definitely be the first name on Rawlinson’s team sheet.
It should be an relatively similar Chester side to the one that played midweek against Kidderminster, with Dion Kelly-Evans sidelined until the end of the season with a knee injury, and Michael Kelly a possibility after a knock.
Visitors Southport come into the clash on the back of a 2-1 home victory to Alfreton Town. Neil Danns’ side are currently on a run of good form, having won four out of their last five games, which includes the FA Trophy win to Yeovil on penalties, which cemented their place in the semi-finals of the competition, where they face Southend United.
Southport are currently in an injury crisis, with at least six players injured in Dan Pike, Matty Williams, Tony McMillan, Ben Collins, Will Russ and Jake Taylor.
Chester FC predicted line-up: Jones, Woodthorpe, Leak, Davies, Croker, Shrimpton, Leigh, Weeks, Murray, Roberts, Mottley Henry.
Southport FC predicted line-up: Renshaw, Minihan, Moore, Keane, Dwyer, Griffiths, Burgess, Gnahoua, Lloyd, McKenzie, Sze.
