Following the defeat to York in front of the TV cameras on Monday night, City return home to a game that, on paper at least, looks to be a guaranteed three points. Paul Tisdale has acted to strengthen his resources up front in the continued absence of Adam Stansfield, with the loan capture of ex-Brighton striker Ben Watson from Grays Athletic. Watson will hope to go straight into the starting line-up alongside either Richard Logan or Steve Basham, while Tisdale may look to freshen up the side elsewhere, with Ryan Harley a possible candidate for a start after impressing from the bench against Crawley and York.

Droylsden's first season at the pinnacle of non-league Football has been largely one to forget, as they have at times resembled the BSP equivalent of Derby County as a side deeply out of its depth. On course to concede well over 100 goals and unlikely even to reach 20 points, relegation is already as good as confirmed for the Bloods and their Chairman / Manager Dave Pace. Such is the acceptance of Droylsden's fate that they have let perhaps their best player, Jody Banim, leave for a loan spell at Torquay. There have been some bright spots, including a televised victory against Oxford and a win over high-flying Forest Green, but the lows, including an 8-0 FA Trophy reverse at Crawley, have been altogether more frequent.

Saturday's match marks the first time the side from the Manchester area will have visited the Park. Back in August, City emerged from the North West with a 3-2 victory thanks to a double from Dean Moxey and a late strike from Lee Elam.