Jon Worsnop has been acting as the middle man after friends and former team-mates contacted him to express an interest in coming to Chester.

Bradford-born Worsnop is well-connected, having been with a dozen or so clubs in his career and explains it’s not unusual for contacts in the game to call in favours during the close-season.

He confirmed he knew of players keen to join the club and has passed details onto Steve Burr, who will now step up his search for new signings having returned from holiday this week.

“This time of the year is strange and you do get lads ringing you up who are available and asking you to have a word with the manager,” said Worsnop, who made 48 appearances last season.

“I’ve had a few calls and I’ve said to them ‘look I’m not the gaffer but I’ll pass your number on and tell him you’re interested’ and that’s what I’ve done.

“I can offer an opinion and say to the gaffer ‘this lad is interested and I think he’s a good player’.

“Sometimes I do wonder if he’s just humouring me but the manager’s straight up and honest. He’s his own man and if it’s not for him then he’ll say so or he might decide to give them a call.”

Worsnop, whose previous clubs include FC United of Manchester, Guiseley and Alfreton Town, expects Burr to bring in ‘five or six’ new faces over the summer and the 32-year-old maintains the squad requires just minor attention.

Chester ended last season in 12th place and eventually finished 16 points adrift of the play-offs, but Worsnop thinks the Blues can improve on that with a few key additions.

“I don’t think it’s a secret the areas the manager will be looking to strengthen,” said Worsnop, who returned to the Deva Stadium 12 months ago having been with Chester City during the 2002-03 season under Mark Wright.

“Of course everybody wants that 20-goals-a-season centre forward but, being realistic, those players cost a lot of money.

“The manager might be able to unearth a little gem and if you look at his past he does seem to do that and makes a bit of a business out of it: selling them on and bringing in some money.

“I think we could do with an experienced at the head to help bring on Ben [Heneghan] and Kayzy [Michael Kay], and having competition for places is a good thing.

“Depending on what happens with Matty Hughes then we’ll probably need someone on the left side and obviously we’re in the market for a left-back with Gareth Roberts leaving but other than that I think we’re good in most positions.

“I think it’s just really about making the spine of the team stronger really and becoming more solid.

“If you look at last season, we weren’t quite consistent enough but the footprint of the club and the fact it used to be in the Football League means everything is in place here.

“I think it’s going to be an interesting season and I’m very excited about it.”