CHESTER City will be aiming to halt an alarming run that has seen them lose their last three matches and concede nine goals into the bargain, when they travel to face Stevenage Borough tonight.

Stevenage are currently second in the Blue Square Premier League, and they will be looking to complete a double over City, after winning 1-0 at the Deva Stadium in September.

City manager Jim Harvey is under no illusions about the squad he inherited when he took over from Mick Wadsworth earlier this season, repeating at the weekend his view that certain Chester players don’t possess the required ability to compete at this level.

He said: “The truth is that some of the boys are not good enough. As a group of players they are going to find it really difficult this year.”

One player who doesn’t fall into that category is midfielder Clark Keltie, who has turned in several man of the match performances over the past few weeks.

Keltie, who is on loan from Rochdale, completes his temporary spell after tonight.

With a transfer embargo hanging over City because of their off the field problems, Harvey is anxious to extend Keltie’s loan for a third month, however the club’s directors haven’t yet indicated if they will sanction the much needed extension.

The City manager is hopeful that injury victims Neil Ashton and Michael Lea will be fit enough to take their places in the squad.

Chester will be at home to Blue Square North side Fleetwood Town in the FA Trophy first round on Saturday, December 12.

CHESTER CITY (from): Danby, Murphy, Rule, Roberts, Ryan, Meynell, Beesley, Keltie, Barry, Owen, Chadwick, Blundell, Ashton, Lea, Ellams, Wilkinson, Kay, Kelly.