Who's playing?

Marine v Chester FC.

When and where?

Saturday, July 23 (2pm) at The Marine Travel Arena, College Road, Crosby L23 3AS.

Admission is £6 for adults, £4 for concessions and free for accompanied children aged under 11.

Any team news?

Blues boss Jon McCarthy is planning to use this game to have a closer look at the trialists who have been training with his squad during pre-season.

While Joe Heath, Rakim Newton, Wade Joyce and Kevin Exell have been involved in previous matches, this will be the first real chance McCarthy has to check out the latest intake who arrived at the club at the start of this week which includes an American college student who has caught the eye in training and several hopefuls released from Football League sides.

That means most of the senior squad will not be involved against the Mariners following a 3-2 win over Airbus UK Broughton on Wednesday evening but those on the fringes such as Sam Hughes, Matty Waters and Kieran Evans will feature.

Ross Killock's ongoing calf problem is the only fitness concern for McCarthy at present and the defender is undergoing treatment to ensure he is right for the start of the season.

Chester's Blaine Hudson challenging Airbus winger Ryan Wignall during Wednesday's pre-season game
Chester's Blaine Hudson challenging Airbus winger Ryan Wignall during Wednesday's pre-season game

Tell me about Marine...

Having finished 15th in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division last season, the Mariners will be hoping to continue the improvement shown since Sean Hessey was appointed manager towards the end of the previous campaign after an impressive caretaker tenure.

Chester fans will remember Hessey from his four-year spell with the club between 2004 and 2008, during which he made 92 appearances for the Blues.

Mark Wright signed Hessey from Blackpool following Chester's return to the Football League and the uncompromising defender was a first-team regular until the arrival of Bobby Williamson, who transfer-listed the Merseysider before loaning him to Macclesfield Town, who he then joined on a permanent basis.

Following spells at Accrington Stanley, Barrow and Prestatyn Town, Hessey moved to Marine in 2014 and was named caretaker manager following Carl Macauley's departure, overseeing a remarkable turnaround to stave off relegation.

Bournemouth v Chester FC
Hessey in action for Chester

Formed in 1894, Marine achieved huge success on Liverpool's amateur scene before moving into the Lancashire Combination and the Cheshire League before progressing into the Northern Premier League, winning the title on two occasions but missing out on promotion to the Conference for ground reasons.

The club, who reached the FA Cup third round in 1992/93, is notable for having the longest serving manager in post-war English football. Roly Howard occupied the post from 1972 to 2005.

Any players to watch out for?

Craig Lindfield will be a name familiar to Blues fans having had two spells with the club.

His first was a loan spell with Chester City in 2008 from Premier League side Liverpool and he returned in 2013 when Neil Young signed him from Accrington Stanley.

Wirral-born Lindfield struggled to hold down a regular place in the team and departed the following summer having scored twice in 25 appearances.

He linked up with FC United of Manchester before moving on to Ashton United and then signing for Marine last month.

Craig Lindfield in action for Chester during the 2013/14 season
Craig Lindfield in action for Chester during the 2013/14 season

Former Skelmersdale United midfielder Alan Burton, who penned a new contract this summer, has established himself as an important part of Hessey's team since he returned to the club in November 2015 while winger Joe Mwasile is another new face and can be an exciting proposition on his day.

The 23-year-old spent last season at Salford City having spent time at Morecambe, Workington, Altrincham, Barrow and Burscough.

What happened the last time the two sides met?

Two years ago Chester opened up their pre-season campaign with a thrilling 4-2 win at Marine in a game that saw one red card, four penalties and six goals.

Then trialist George Thomson netted twice and penalties from John Rooney and Chris Iwelumo secured victory for Steve Burr's men, although Blues keeper Jon Worsnop was sent off and Iwelumo forced to finish the game in between the sticks.

Matty Devine and Lewis Copling netted for the Mariners, who missed an earlier penalty when Freddy Hall kept out Karl Clair's effort.

George Thomson scored twice as a trialist in Chester's 4-2 pre-season win at Marine in 2014
George Thomson scored twice as a trialist in Chester's 4-2 pre-season win at Marine in 2014

What is the weather expected to be like?

The searing temperatures of the past few days will subside but there should still be sunny spells on Merseyside on Saturday afternoon albeit with the risk of some showers. Maximum temperatures of around 20°C.