CHESTER City take a break from League action this evening when they face Fleetwood Town in an FA Trophy first round tie at the Deva Stadium.
City manager Jim Harvey is aware of the importance of this competition and is hopeful of a good run for his side.
He said: “The Trophy can give a club a massive boost, of course it gives players the chance of a treasured appearance at Wembley and it also can give clubs a cash injection if they progress to the latter stages.
“We are aware of the threat that Fleetwood pose, they are going well in Blue Square North and I know that they have a number of quality players in their squad.”
Chester will be without defender Kevin Roberts, who is serving a one-match suspension after being dismissed in last weekend’s game against Luton Town, but veteran Tim Ryan returns after recovering from a virus.
Groin injuries mean that Neil Ashton and Michael Lea will again miss out, as will Rhys Meynell, who is suffering from an ankle problem.
So Harvey will again have to turn to the club’s younger players to make up his squad numbers but the City manager was encouraged by last weekend’s goalless draw against Luton. He said: “I was frightened to death as there was the potential to get beaten by three or four goals given the size and quality of Luton’s squad. But the young lads went out there, played to instruction, and I was absolutely delighted that they got the result they deserved.”
Harvey was encouraged by the backing his team received last weekend. He added: “The fans were terrific, they haven’t had a lot to shout about this season but the way they got behind the players was first class and it really helped.”
The City manager is also hopeful that Burnley loanee, Adam Kay, will have shaken off his hamstring injury and be available for selection, saying: “Adam has trained this week but he is still a little sore but hopefullyI will be able to add him to the squad.”
CHESTER CITY (from): Danby, Murphy, Rawlinson, Ryan, Kelly, Rule, Rea, Barry, Owen, Wilkinson, Chadwick, Ellams, Kay, Jones, Freeman, Coulter, Davidson.
