Chester FC boss Steve Burr has strengthened his striking options after securing young Aston Villa striker Thomas Strain on a month-long loan.
The 19-year-old could go straight into the Blues squad that travels to face Southport in the Vanarama Conference on Saturday (3pm) and will help to fill the void left by the departures of fellow loanees Rhys Oates and Matty Hughes.
Strain, whose brother Ryan is also on the books of the Premier League side, was born in England but grew up in Australia before heading back to the UK where he was spotted by Villa scouts and handed a two-year scholarship in 2012 and a professional contract last season.
The Coventry-born striker was a regular for Villa's under 18s side last season and was been rewarded for his fine form with a call up to the U21s Premier League side this season, where he has netted two goals in three appearances.
Blues boss Burr will be hoping that Strain will be able to make an impact as soon as possible after watching his side struggle over the past six weeks, with just one league win in five games.
The teenagers arrival will also help to add depth to a squad which has looked threadbare in recent weeks and has lost the services of Wayne Riley, Jamie Menagh and Liam Blake this week.
Winger Riley is expected to pen a deal with Welsh Premier League side Airbus UK Broughton while Menagh and Blake have both joined Northern Premier League side Marine, with Menagh staying with Carl Macauley's men until the end of the season and Blake for one month.
