With his first signing in the bag, Chester FC manager Jon McCarthy could bring in at least two more new faces this week and expects Johnny Hunt to agree a new deal.
McCarthy snapped up ex-Wrexham defender Blaine Hudson on Tuesday and has held talks with two defenders who have left Championship clubs as well as a midfielder with Hudson’s former team-mate Elliott Durrell linked.
Hunt, who featured 48 times last season, has returned to the UK from holiday and is expected to put pen to paper on a new one-year deal tomorrow, although McCarthy views the 25-year-old as a midfielder and not a full-back.
Ryan Higgins seems unlikely to be present when the squad reports for the start of pre-season next week amid interest from Football League clubs and Ben Heneghan’s future is still unclear.
McCarthy is content with his lot and appreciates the patience of supporters as he strives to ensure the players he is bringing in are right for the club.
“Blaine’s signing does feel like it’s not the first because we’ve been working hard and all of those players the fans have seen before weren’t on contract and weren’t our players, so the likes of James Alabi, Kane Richards and Ryan Astles were my first signings but I know what you mean,” said the 45-year-old.
“I’m delighted to have Blaine here. We met him quite a few weeks ago and we’ve had hundreds of conversations, phone calls and emails because we’re very particular about what we want and it has to fit a strict range of criteria before we actually make the decision so I want the fans to know it’s more about us being very choosy rather than not being able to make any signings.
READ: Blaine Hudson signs for Chester FC
“Blaine’s got a lot to prove, he’s a good age but he has some experience in terms of games and games at this level. With respect to Wrexham and I know Chester fans don’t like to hear it, he’s been playing those games in a team finished in the top eight. He fits our approach and he wants to be hear so everything fits and I’m really pleased to have him on board.
“We’ve met with a younger player on Tuesday who could come into the defence and we’ve had conversations with another two defenders and a midfielder so it’s that queuing process and making sure we have all of that information. There could be a few more this week, or we might come across something that doesn’t match and if that’s the case we’ll say no.
“I expect Johnny Hunt to sign this week. He’s been away on holiday but everything’s set up, although there’s no ink on the paper but we’ve had a conversation and he’s expected back.”
Chester now have 12 players under contract but with Hunt due to re-sign, a loan deal agreed for a keeper from a Football League club and the prospect of up to three new signings, McCarthy is relaxed about the situation.
The one area he does still need to address is up front but The Chronicle understands an approach has been made to sign a striker with an impressive pedigree at this level, although the Blues could face stiff competition for his services.
McCarthy said: “We’re going to have a squad of 19, maybe 20 and we’re up to 12 now but with Johnny, the two defenders, the midfielder and we’ve got a loan keeper sorted which we can’t announce until the paperwork is completed, think we’re almost there except for the striker position.
“I’m confident we’ve got players falling into place for the other positions and the striker one is a little bit held up in terms of what’s happening with Ben because that’s a significant part of my budget and what I can’t be is over budget and I’m sure the supporters recognise that.
“We have to make sure that part of the jigsaw is right and we’ll do our homework because that’s a key position and I won’t jump in and do anything unless I feel confident that it’s right for us.”
