VASTLY-experienced defender James Chambers is looking forward to locking horns with former Worcester City striker Lee Hughes at AFC Telford United today (3pm).

The veteran frontman is expected to go up against the Blue and Whites for the first time since he left the club in February.

And Chambers believes the reunion with the 40-year-old, who scored 33 goals in 57 appearances for Worcester, will bring an extra “edge” to the Midlands derby.

Chambers says he remains “good friends” with Hughes as they also played together at West Bromwich Albion.

But the 36-year-old ex-Watford and Leicester City player insists he will be aiming to get the “better of him” in the National League North clash at the New Bucks Head Stadium.

“I played with him at West Brom and against him a few times as well over the years but we are good friends,” Chambers said.

“When I was making my debut he was at West Brom so he looked after me and my brother and a few of the younger lads there so I have got a lot of time for him.

“One of the best things in football is when you do come across friends, ex-players and colleagues because it adds a different dimension to the game.

“There will be a bit of laughing and joking and it will put a bit more on the game and on incidents when you are trying to get the better of him and he is trying to get the better of you so there will be an edge to the game.

“But we have got to get back to what we are doing and focus on our performance as a team rather than the individual battles.”

After Hughes’ departure Colby Bishop soon followed, moving to Boston United and leaving City light on strikers.

But Chambers has backed Jordan Murphy to fire his side, who are two points above the drop, to safety.

The 20-year-old forward has scored four goals in Worcester’s last five games, including the winner in their 1-0 success over Stalybridge Celtic at Altrincham’s Moss Lane last Saturday.

“It is difficult as a player as you potentially don’t know the ins and outs of the players’ options and things contractually,” said Chambers of Hughes’ exit.

“Obviously Lee made his decision and felt he needed to do what he needed to do.

“It is always disappointing when players leave for whatever reason, whether it is to go to another club or retire.

“But we move on and we have got enough players in the team to fill the position.”

Chambers added: “Obviously goals win games so for us at the moment Jordan is in fine form.

“He is having chances which is the first thing you want for your players up front and luckily for us he is putting them away as well.

“We back him when he goes through one-on-one and happily for us he put another one in the back of the net last Saturday.”