Bumper crowd expected for Warrington Town vs Chester

And ahead of a visit from Cheshire neighbours Chester, manager Paul Carden insists his players are acutely aware of their poor home form – and are desperate to reverse it.

Demand for tickets among both sets of fans has been high, with the total number of tickets sold already believed to be well in excess of the season high to date of 1,108 that watched Yellows beat Kidderminster Harriers in August.

Indeed, the club are hopeful the figure will be close to the crowd of 2,000 that watched the two sides meet on New Year’s Day as Town won 1-0, with capacity limited back then by ongoing ground improvement work.

Josh Amis pokes home Town's winning goal during their 1-0 win over Chester on New Year's Day (Image: Sean Walsh) That was one of just six home wins Yellows have managed during this calendar year, with five draws and an alarming 12 defeats.

However, Carden insists his players need not be reminded of that figure as their need to improve their home form has already been self-identified by the squad.

“We haven’t done much at home this season, which hasn’t been the case when I’ve been here in the past and in the last couple of seasons,” he said.

“It’s always been a good place with a good feel about it but since coming back in, we haven’t had that because we haven’t had results or performances at home.

“Our home form has to get us up the league and the lads know they haven’t performed at home this season. They’ve spoken about it themselves.

“It doesn’t have to be driven by management all the time – lads feel it because they’re experienced enough to know how it should be.”

Carden will be hoping the return to home soil sees them build on two draws on the road this week – a goalless midweek trip to Scarborough Athletic followed a 1-1 draw at Rushall Olympic on Saturday.

Despite the fact they have not scored from open play in their last seven matches in all competitions – their equaliser at Rushall came courtesy of Connor Woods’ penalty – the manager says their trio of recent additions have lifted the dressing room.

READ MORE > Check out our interview with new signing Jak McCourt here

Connor Woods' penalty earned Town a point at Rushall Olympic on Saturday (Image: Sean Walsh) “There’s a real good spirit in there at the minute – Jak McCourt is very chirpy and has done well in that sense with the lads because he knows a few of them,” he said.

“Elliot Morris and Jack Hont have settled in really well – even though they’ve come from a couple of leagues below, they’re not babies and they know what its about.

“Hopefully we can keep looking to add and improve – we know where our needs are and we’ll keep trying to make it better.”

Douglas 'has got a real chance'

Another player Carden has been quick to praise is loanee Hamish Douglas, who has been ever-present since joining on loan from Rotherham United in October.

His performances led to his loan deal being extended until January, and the Yellows boss believes he is feeling the benefit of playing alongside the vastly experienced Peter Clarke in the heart of defence.

He also believes Douglas’ appetite for improvement coupled with his ability will see him go far in the game.

“He’s a great lad – great lads don’t always make the best players but he’s got a real chance I believe,” Carden said.

“He’s 19 and there’s no better experience for him than playing with Clarkey.

“He wants to learn, he asks questions – he sends me clips of himself and asks how he can handle certain situations better.

“That’s the sign of somebody with real ambition, but you’ve also got to back it with ability, game understanding and dedication.

“He’s got that in abundance. He’s doing really well for us and long may that continue.”

Young defender Hamish Douglas has been ever-present for Town since joining on loan from Rotherham United in October (Image: Sean Walsh)

Town wait on skipper for 'derby day'

Carden will be hopeful of having skipper Josh Amis, who scored the winner in this fixture on New Year's Day, available again for Saturday's game.

Having completed the full 90 minutes at Rushall on Saturday, the big striker missed Tuesday's goalless draw with Scarborough Athletic to go for a scan on a troublesome shoulder injury.

Amis had surgery on the injury during the close-season but aggravated the issue during the recent Liverpool Senior Cup defeat to Southport.

Left-back Andy White (ankle) looks set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines while young defender Noah Halford has left the club following the expiry of his loan spell from Bolton Wanderers. He has since joined FC United of Manchester.

Skipper Josh Amis missed Tuesday's draw at Scarborough to allow for a shoulder injury to be assessed (Image: Sean Walsh)