NEIL Young wants to sign loan star Matty McGinn on a permanent deal – but luring the left-back from Southport may not be a formality.
The Chester FC manager would like to keep the goalscoring defender after being hugely impressed by the impact he has made at the Exacta Stadium.
Young intends to open negotiations with the Sandgrounders now that McGinn has played the last game of his one-month loan spell.
But there are several issues to be thrashed out before the transfer can go through.
Young said: “We’d like to try and bring Matty in as he’s done very well for us.
“I’ve always said I’d wait until his loan came to an end before I talked to Southport and the player, to allow Matty to concentrate firmly on his football. I’d like to do that over the weekend to see where we’re at and see if the lad wants to stay.
“If that’s the case we will need to speak with Southport – because ultimately he is their player – and see what can be done. Then we have to agree personal terms and make sure it all fits in within our budget.”
McGinn’s final appearance in a blue and white shirt – for the time being at least – came against Kendal Town last night in a match played after The Chronicle went to press.
Going into the clash McGinn had scored five goals in six games – four of them from the penalty spot – and made three others.
Those statistics underline why the Blues are so keen to retain the 28-year-old’s services. However Young is aware of the need to reduce the numbers in other areas of his 21-man senior squad.
The major problem facing Young at present is that up to six key players are either injured or carrying knocks. Liam Brownhill and Chris Simm were rated as doubtful for the visit of Kendal, Jerome Wright is at least two weeks away from a return and Ashley Williams remains a long-term absentee.
Michael Wilde is back in training but is still some way off full match fitness while captain George Horan needs to rest the groin strain that has plagued him since pre-season.
It therefore comes as a relief to Young that the Blues are without a fixture on Saturday.
Striker Wilde will make his comeback from a fractured collarbone when Chester return to action on Tuesday away to Hyde in the Cheshire Senior Cup (7.45pm).
