Chester FC could be down to the bare bones for this weekend's FA Trophy encounter with FC Halifax Town.

Top scorer Ross Hannah and midfielder Sam Hughes have not trained this week and on-loan forward Jason Gilchrist has returned to Burnley after injuring his ankle.

Ryan Lloyd and Craig Hobson remain sidelined and with James Alabi and Ryan Astles ineligible, the Blues are looking threadbare.

Chester boss Steve Burr said: "Ross Hannah has got a sore toe at the moment and it's quite badly bruised. The physiotherapist has had a look at and he's not been able to train this week.

"He's an important player for us and we need him but we will have to wait and see how he is nearer the weekend.

"Jason went over on his ankle in training this week and unfortunately it looks like he's going to be out for four to six weeks so he's gone back to Burnley to recover.

Sam Hughes hasn't trained this week because of flu
Sam Hughes hasn't trained this week because of flu

"Sam Hughes, who I thought did quite well when he came on against Braintree, has been in bed all week with a flu bug too so he's not been training either and Hobby is still struggling and doesn't look like he'll be back.

"We've had some good news with Ryan Lloyd as he's not cracked his rib but it is badly bruised and he's going to be touch-and-go for the weekend."

The Blues have beaten Halifax twice in the league this season, including a 1-0 win at the Shay back in August .

But the West Yorkshire side will be the favourites to reach the quarter-finals having gone 12 games unbeaten under ex-Chester City manager Jim Harvey.

Burr might give a debut to Nyal Bell, who is on loan from League One club Rochdale, while Ian Sharps, who should replace Astles, Steven Hewitt, Tom Peers and Tom Shaw will be hoping for recalls.

Kane Richards could also come in contention having returned from a loan spell with Gainsborough Trinity .

Jason Gilchrist has returned to Burnley after damaging his ankle in training
Jason Gilchrist has returned to Burnley after damaging his ankle in training

Gilchrist, who signed on a month's loan on January 8 , made three substitute appearances during his time at the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium.

The 21-year-old featured in the defeats to Aldershot Town and Braintree Town, and scored in the 4-0 win over Hungerford Town in the previous round of the FA Trophy.