Chester FC boss Jon McCarthy is hopeful of having loan defender Theo Vassell available for the weekend visit of Burton Albion but Ross Killock looks likely to be sidelined until next week.

Both summer signings missed the 1-1 draw at Nantwich Town on Tuesday after picking up injuries, forcing McCarthy to reshuffle his pack for the trip to the Dabbers, with 18-year-old Matty Waters getting another chance to shine.

Vassell's omission was precautionary but Killock could be out for longer and left facing a race against time to be fit for the National League season opener at Gateshead on August 6 after failing to shake of a niggling hamstring injury.

The Chester boss said: "Ross didn't play a lot of football last year and did a lot of work over the summer and came back in really good shape. But that stuff happens and he's picked up this injury but it gives Matty Waters another 90 minutes experience in that position.

"Ross is going to be a little bit behind in terms of pre-season. He'll be back out on the training field next week and we'll have to give him a couple of weeks of training. We are working really hard but we are not in too bad shape.

"Theo is precautionary. He has been at Walsall and done some functional work with the ball but we would expect him to be fit for Saturday."

Chester lined up with a back four of Waters, Ryan Astles, Blaine Hudson and Evan Horwood at Nantwich and with Sam Hughes able to deputise at centre back and Johnny Hunt an option at left-back, McCarthy has plenty of defensive cover going in to the new season.