CHESTER CITY’S players return to training today to prepare for Saturday’s Blue Square Premier League game against Altrincham.

With events off the field making the Deva Stadium headlines this week, manager Jim Harvey is firmly focusing on the weekend home clash against their Cheshire neighbours.

Harvey’s preparations haven’t been helped by the loss of central defender Jonathan Flynn and midfielder Michael Coulson, who have returned to Blackburn Rovers and Barnsley respectively, following one month temporary loan spells with City.

He said: “We have to tighten up defensively, and we will be sorting out the defensive problems in training.

“We gave cheap goals away against York City and Tamworth and we need to concentrate for the full 90 minutes of a match, and the players have been left with this thought in no uncertain terms.

“I have had some encouraging news on the injury front. Neil Ashton and Michael Lea who have both been suffering with groin injuries, have improved this week, and both have outside chances of being fit for Saturday’s game.”