Manager Paul Simpson will urge his Shrewsbury Town side to adopt a ruthless streak in tonight’s local derby against struggling Chester.

Town could go as high as fourth in League Two if they chalk up a third successive home victory and results elsewhere go their way.

Chester arrive at the Prostar Stadium in desperate trouble – without a win since Boxing Day and having taken just two points from the last available 27.

A squad already restricted in numbers by a transfer embargo because of financial problems is further damaged by a host of injuries – including former Town man Ryan Lowe who is battling against an ankle problem to be fit to face his old club. That brings the prospect of Chester boss Mark Wright having to name a host of youngsters in his 16-man squad.

But Simpson is determined his team adopt the same approach which saw them defeat Chesterfield 2-1 on Saturday.

“It’s a local derby against a club who have obviously got a few problems at the moment and are struggling for results,” he said.

“But we can’t worry about that. This is one of those games that could easily become a banana skin if we don’t do it properly.

“They will come scrapping for their lives.

“They will come with a bit of fire in their belly with it being a local derby and we have to make sure we are spot on.

“We have to be ruthless at home against Chester tonight and away at Luton on Saturday.”

It promises to be an important night in the promotion shake-up with Bradford playing Darlington, Wycombe travelling to Dagenham and Gillingham and Rochdale are also in action.

“You look at the fixtures tonight and there are some really, really big games,” added Simpson.

“We have to do our job right and if we do, we know other teams will be slipping up because they are playing each other.”

With no fresh injury worries, it would be no surprise if Simpson sticks with the side which defeated Chesterfield on Saturday. 

Kevin McIntyre and Jasbir Singh are the only players on the casualty list, while Darren Moss serves the last game of a two-match ban.

By JAMES GARRISON