It's 'win or bust' for Chelmsford City when they take on fellow promotion hopefuls Newport (IOW) at New Lodge tomorrow (Saturday), in what is their biggest Dr Martens League Eastern Division game of the season.

"Both sides have to win to stand any real chance of being promoted - and we are determined to beat them," was the upbeat message from City manager Gary Bellamy yesterday.

"Our players won't need any motivating for this one but my message will be quite simple: relax, go out and play our passing game, create the chances and the result will come and don't start fretting if some of the chances don't go in,'' he added.

Bellamy knows that the Isle of Wight side play defensively so City will need to break them down and not become frustrated but he added: "We are working on something in training this week which I hope will work out."

The big bonus for City fans is that the strong and versatile Danny Reeve is expected to be back in contention with a place in midfield alongside Kevin Dobinson, only a little over two months since breaking an ankle in the game at Sittingbourne.

"If Danny comes through training this week then I have no qualms about putting him straight into the side," said Bellamy. "His recovery is quite remarkable but he will add strength for us in that department."

Another possible boost for City could see the return of striker Tesfaye Bramble who has made only one appearance this year - at Erith - having been plagued with an apparent mysterious groin injury in recent weeks.

If he also comes through training without any ill effects then he is in contention for a place in the starting line-up.

"With a bit of luck we should have our strongest squad available for the Newport game and I believe we are perfectly capable of winning, something we must do." Bellamy added.

On Tuesday (March 21), City go to Oxfordshire to play Witney Town in another league game (kick off 7.45pm) before making a trip up the A1 on Saturday week to take on Stamford.

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