CHESTER'S bid to bring in fresh blood is being hampered by their lowly league position.
That is the view of manager Mark Wright, who has been working overtime to freshen up his squad.
The Blues boss knows he must ship players out before he can get anyone in - and that is something he is close to doing.
As the Chronicle was going to press, Craig Dove was on the verge of completing a six-week loan move to Conference outfit Forest Green, while Marcus Richardson is wanted by Cheshire neighbours Macclesfield Town.
Wright wants a Silkmen player in exchange for Richardson, although he refused to name his man.
The unidentified target is one of a number on the chief 's list, which includes young Manchester City forward Ishmael Miller and former Everton winger Kevin McLeod, who is on the books of Swansea City and once rejected a move to the Saunders Honda Stadium.
Wright admitted he is finding it hard to convince players to join the club, which he believes is a direct result of their perilous plight.
He said: 'From watching Ishmael Miller in Manchester City's reserves and from Stuart Pearce being a friend of mine, he is a player we would like.
'But he's got bigger clubs after him - teams in the Championship - and certainly teams who are not fighting relegation, which sometimes managers and clubs think can have a detrimental affect on youngsters.
'At this moment in time it's hard to convince them to come here. If we were flying for promotion it might be different.
'We've also enquired about Kevin McLeod. He's a Liverpool lad, he's quick and can play left back, left wing or even left wing-back, and he's an exceptional talent.
'But whether that one comes off we don't know because he's at a club who are pushing for promotion.
'We are certainly doing our best.'
