CALUM MCINTYRE hopes his Chester players will have a great reception during their long-awaited homecoming tomorrow.

The Blues are finally back at the Deva Stadium in National League North action for their meeting with Gloucester City.

This will be Chester’s first home encounter in the league since they defeated high-flying Scunthorpe United back on October 21.

McIntyre told Chester FC TV: “We move on to a run of home games.

“What I hope is the players get a brilliant reception back at the Deva, because they’ve worked so, so hard on the road.”

The Blues have played six consecutive away matches in the league, picking up 11 points in the process, while December’s busy schedule involves six contests.

“It’s going to be demanding again,” added McIntyre, who saw captain George Glendon score from the spot in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Rushall Olympic.

“Saturday-Tuesday. I’m not happy about the fixture schedule.

“I won’t hide from that. To have been penalised for how well we’ve done in the FA Cup, to then be penalised because a county cup takes priority.

“We have a schedule where we’re Saturday-Tuesday again next week on the barest of bones.

“That’s tough, but what I’ve learned is that’s us at our best.

“We’ll roll our sleeves up, we’ll get ready for that and... certainly look forward to some home comforts over the coming weeks.”

There are away days in store for the top trio tomorrow.

Leaders Tamworth tackle Warrington Town, second-placed Scunthorpe United are up against Hereford and South Shields take on Bishop’s Stortford.

Other fixtures: Brackley v Boston; Chorley v Buxton; King’s Lynn v Banbury; Peterborough Sports v Farsley Celtic; Rushall v Blyth; Southport v Darlington; Spennymoor v Scarborough.

There’s a big game at the bottom of the National League tomorrow.

Basement boys Kidderminster host fourth-from-bottom Ebbsfleet while at the other end of the table, Bromley will aim to cut Chesterfield’s lead to eight points by beating Rochdale at home.

Other fixtures: AFC Fylde v Hartlepool United; Altrincham v Dorking; FC Halifax v Solihull Moors; Oldham v Boreham Wood; Oxford City v Maidenhead; Southend v Wealdstone; Woking v Gateshead.