By Luke Cawdell

Chatham Town boss Kevin Watson hopes his team are up for the fight when they take on Witham Town on Saturday.

Watson (pictured) knows the Essex outfit are likely to provide a physical test when they head to Maidstone Road.

The two teams last met in the Ryman League, Division 1 North, in October, with the game ending 2-2.

Watson said: "They are direct and strong and we need to combat it. I remember being slightly disappointed the last time we played them and I don’t think we did ourselves justice.

"We hadn’t played them before and it can be a bit of a shock when it’s not what you’re expecting."

Watson said changes could be a possibility in a bid to combat the opposition but admitted he doesn’t have the biggest of squads. He said: "It is more about the mentality of the players, anyway. We know we’re going to be in a battle and it might end up that it’s the conditions that dictate."

Chatham haven’t played since last weekend’s 5-1 defeat to Aveley after the midweek trip to Brentwood was postponed.

Watson was hoping for at least one new addition to the side before the weekend but it won’t be James McDonald. A four-way fight for the 15-goal striker’s signature failed to lure him from Kent League Woodstock Sports.

Brad Potter (foot) and Matt Newman (suspension) miss the Witham game.