Neil Young wants to add at least two new faces to his Chester FC squad before the loan window closes tonight.

Once the deadline passes, Young will be unable to do any business until January 1 and has been working overtime to boost his options with the Blues’ relegation rivals dipping into the loan market.

He hopes to snare two Football League midfielders with first team experience before the FA Trophy clash with AFC Barrow on Saturday (3pm).

“We want to bring at least two bodies in before the deadline,” said Young.

“The lads we have targeted are aged 21 to 23 and have got a bit more experience than the youngsters we have brought in. 

“One is a central midfielder and the other plays off the front.

“But we have got to make sure we get the right players and the right price because we have got a tough five weeks ahead and we will need to be strong mentally.”

Injuries have begun to mount up, particularly in midfield, and Young revealed he had been forced to cancel training on Tuesday evening to give his walking wounded time to recover.

On-loan defender Ross Killock went off injured in the 1-0 loss to Nuneaton Town and has joined long-term casualties Danny Harrison and Nathan Turner on the treatment table.

Attacking midfielder Craig Lindfield will miss the Barrow game and there are also doubts over Ashley Williams and striker Gareth Seddon.

Young said: “Ross has done his calf and could be out for up to five weeks and Craig has been struggling since Hereford.

“Ashley has a bang on his leg and has been playing through the pain barrier but hopefully he and Gareth will be fit.

“There are obviously going to be some changes for the weekend but we are very short in some areas and that is why we need to get some bodies in.

“We have the likes of Lee Pugh and George Horan waiting to come in but we are quite strong in those areas.”

One player linked with a move to the Swansway Chester Stadium is Alex-Ray Harvey, who is currently on non-contract terms with cup opponents Barrow.

But Young confirmed the 23-year-old former Burnley midfielder, who has attracted interest from Hyde, was not on his radar.

Barrow are third-bottom in the Skrill North table and lost 3-0 to AFC Telford United in their last league game. Caretaker manager Alex Meechan, who took over following the departure of Dave Bayliss, had a spell with Chester City in 2007.

Young said: “The game is a potential banana skin for us and we are expecting a tough test.

 “All of the pressure will be on us and I am sure Barrow will fancy their chances but we want to do well in the competition.”