Jon McCarthy has declared himself as a contender to be the next Chester FC manager.

Having been named as caretaker boss last week, it had been unclear whether the 45-year-old would be interested in replacing Steve Burr on a permanent basis.

But the ex-Northern Ireland international has now made his intentions clear and told The Chronicle he wants the role, however McCarthy realises this weekend's game against Welling United could be make-or-break for his prospects.

McCarthy accepts some fans will look at him as Burr's number two but he believes he should be considered on his own merits, which include holding the Uefa A Licence, more than 500 appearances in career that took in York City, Port Vale and Birmingham City, and 18 international caps.

The Blues could be safe with a win against Welling on Saturday and favourable results elsewhere, and should that happen McCarthy believes he will have strong claims.

"Yes I do want it after this week," said McCarthy, who has been with the club since January 2014 and doubles as chief executive of the Chester FC Community Trust.

"I almost went with the cliché that this is my audition but I do think there needs to be a performance on Saturday that wins the game and then people need to go 'that's different'. There needs to be a win and a performance where people can see a change within a week.

Read: Where will the Blues next boss come from?

"I think it's quite difficult for me in terms of how people perceive me as Steve's number two but I think if people ask enough questions around the club and talk to enough people - because I'm here a lot in terms of my two roles - then those people really understand me and my CV in terms of coaching and playing and what I've done.

"I'd ask people to look at me and not whose number two I was. Go and look me up, go and see what I did, what I achieved and where I came from. Go and see my background: I've won the Conference North twice; played in the Conference for three years; I've been here two-and-half-years; I've got the Uefa A Licence and 500 appearances so it is time for me.

In pictures: Jon McCarthy's career in football

"I've been quiet in the background but it's time for me to say look I've done these things. There's nobody who works harder at this football club in terms of detail and planning and I think people know that.

"All of this might start to resonate with people if there's a good performance and a good result on Saturday. If there isn't then I'll be quite sad because it will be a missed opportunity and there probably won't be another chance."

Chester lost 2-1 at Lincoln City on the weekend in their first game since McCarthy was placed in charge of the team along with club captain Ian Sharps, who has also confirmed his interest in the manager's role .

Having now had time to work the players on the training ground, McCarthy has found the transition from number two to boss to be a smooth one and is confident the fans will notice a difference against Welling.

Read: Chairman Simon Olorenshaw 'very impressed' with interest in managerial vacancy

"I've really enjoyed it and it's not been a problem and I think that's reflected in how the players have been and they can see there's someone here who wants to lead them and take them to where they need to be," said McCarthy.

"That's pleasing and people around the place can tell that. It's a really tough environment because with lads who've been out and seen a lot of coaching you will get found out straightway and you wouldn't cope.

"I guess I need the performance on Saturday to reflect that and if that happens then people can see what I'm made of and if it doesn't people will say 'he's just trying to build himself up' so the performance and the results, which is the case with everything, will always determine how I'm perceived."