FORMER Liverpool and England defender Mark Wright was last night appointed as manager of struggling Nationwide Conference club Chester City.

Wright, who has previously been in charge of Southport and Oxford United, will watch tonight's Conference home match against Northwich Victoria from the stands and then take full charge of Saturday's FA Umbro Trophy third round game against Stourport.

"I've been impressed by the club's chairman, Stephen Vaughan, and he has the same sort of aspirations for the club that I do, and on a personal level it's pleasing to be back in club management so quickly," Wright said.

"Obviously our first objective is too avoid relegation, and then we can look forward to next season and a brighter future.

"There are certain players I would like to bring in to bolster the squad, but at this stage, its too early to reveal who they are."

It is expected that Wright's assistant at Southport and Oxford, Ted McMinn, will be invited to join him at the Deva stadium.

A delighted Vaughan said: "Mark has the sort of expertise and experience that we've been looking for.

"I consider it something of a coup for us, and hopefully it shows the football world and all our supporters, the strength of our ambition for this club.

"Our aim is to return to the Football League as quickly as we can, and with this appointment we are building towards that goal." New signing Gary Brabin, meanwhile, is likely to be drafted into the Chester side for tonight's game.

The ex-Blackpool, Hull City and Northwich Victoria player signed for City on noncontract terms last night, after training with the club for the past three weeks.

Brabin can play in midfield or in the heart of defence. He is likely to feature in a central defensive role this evening, with Iain Jenkins reverting to wing-back.

Otherwise caretaker managers Owen Brown and Alan Lewer are likely to keep faith with the side who defeated Hayes 3-1 in the club's last outing 10 days ago.

CHESTER CITY: W Brown, Woodyatt, Jenkins, Spink, Ruffer or Brabin, Carden, Blackburn, Porter, Ruscoe, D Brown, Beesley. Subs (from): Jones, M Rose, C O'Brien, Collins, M O'Brien, Haarhoff.