CHESTER CITY last night accepted an undisclosed financial offer from Blue Square Premier club Cambridge United for their striker Chris Holroyd.

The Nantwich-born player, who will be 22 in October, was a trainee with Crewe before joining City, but he has been unable to secure a regular place.

Holroyd appears to have been pushed further down the Deva Stadium pecking order, following the signings of Vauxhall Motors striker Paul Taylor and ex-Crewe player Ryan Lowe in the past few days.

Cambridge are managed by former Chester player Gary Brabin and the ex-Southport manager must now agree personal terms with Holroyd. The move could be concluded early next week.

Midfielder Mark Hughes is the subject of interest from fellow Coca-Cola League Two club Barnet, while young defender Sean Newton is likely to join Blue Square North club Droylsden next week.

Hughes, who is a former Tottenham Hotspur trainee, joined Chester last summer following a period with Stevenage Borough. Barnet manager Paul Fairclough is known to be an admirer of the Northern Irishman and a transfer could be concluded in the next fortnight.

Meanwhile, two former City players who were released in May, have signed for Blue Square Premier clubs. Defender Kevin Sandwith has joined Weymouth, while midfielder Dean Bennett has signed a permanent deal with Kidderminster Harriers, after spending a loan spell with them last season.