CHESTER City boss Ian Rush has virtually ruled out any new signings as they bid to banish the relegation blues at Kidderminster tomorrow.

Efforts to strengthen the squad came to nothing this week and Rush, buoyed by the end of the goal drought with a 3-1 win last Saturday, said: 'I am happy to carry on with the players I've got. Any new signing would be a bonus.'

QPR accepted a reported offer of more than £100,000 for ex-Everton player Kevin McLeod, who rejected a move, while Conference club Morecambe turned down a £50,000 bid for ex-City striker Michael Twiss and Shrewsbury were not impressed by a cash plus player offer for their midfielder Ryan Lowe.

Rush added: 'We watched Lowe in the reserves on Wednesday, but Shrewsbury weren't interested in our offer. He is out of contract at the end of the season, so we will monitor the situation.'

Chester clinched their first home win of the year when they beat fellow strugglers Rush-den & Diamonds last Saturday with goals by new strikers Taiwo Atieno and Joe O'Neill and defender Sean Hessey and hope to continue their improvement by winning at Aggborough Stadium tomorrow.

Victory would open up a 13-point gap to the relegation zone and give City a double. Until last Saturday, Kidderminster had provided Chester with their last home win in the league since October in a match which saw the dismissal of ex-City defender Wayne Hatswell, who is expected to play tomorrow, along with former Chester striker Ian Foster.

Said Rush: 'The important thing is not to lose, but Kidderminster have improved a lot since we beat them. They have made some signings and are having a go.

'Since beating Rushden we have had a good week in training. It is always more relaxed after a victory and if we can win it would take a lot of pressure off us.

'I was very pleased with the way we played last Saturday and now we want to see some consistency.'

David Bayliss, still on loan from Luton Town, is available after suspension, but Rush is unlikely to make any changes.

Michael Brown, who was concussed at Swansea, is back in training, but it could be another fortnight before he is given medical clearance to play.

Rush confirmed that Robbie Booth would be in the squad after scoring both goals in City's 2-0 victory at Bury in a Pontin's Holidays League game on Wednesday.

City's League Two game at Mansfield, scheduled for Saturday, March 26, has been brought forward to the previous night (Good Friday) at 7.45pm to avoid a clash with England's televised World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland.

Cortez Belle, who is serving a five-match ban, has returned to South Wales for domestic reasons and is training temporarily with Nationwide South side Newport County. nChester reserves are at home to Wrexham in a Pontin's Holidays League game next Wednesday (2pm).

Tickets are still on sale during normal office hours (10am to 4pm) for Chester's all-ticket game at Shrewsbury on Saturday, February 26. Prices for the Gay Meadow clash are £14 in the stand (£9 concessions) and £12 standing (£7 concessions).

Winners of our competition to win tickets for next week's big game against League Two leaders Yeovil Town were Mr J Ryan, of Sefton Road, Hoole, Chester; Daniel Massey, of Wordsworth Way, Great Sutton; and Mr M Cartwright, of Gladstone Road, Broughton.