CHESTER CITY bolstered their squad last night by making three free transfer deadline signings.
Manager Keith Curle swooped to sign central defender Mark Roberts from Crewe Alexandra and the Sheffield United pair of Evan Horwood and Chris Robertson.
Horwood is a 19-year-old left-back, who spent a three-month spell on loan at Stock-port County last season, while Robertson, who is a central defender, was wanted by Bury before City swooped.
Mark Roberts has been training with Chester for the past few days, and featured in Monday's friendly match against a Blackburn Rovers XI.
Curle was naturally upbeat following the signings. He said: "We have taken all three players on one-month loan deals with a view to possible permanent signings.
"I will give both Chris and Evan 45-minute run-outs in Wednesday's reserve team game against Blackpool. All three players have good futures in football, and they will create tremendous competition for places at the Deva Stadium."
Curle added: "Mark has had an excellent grounding at Crewe, whilst Evan and Chris have been on the fringes of Sheffield United's first team, who are one of the front runners in the Championship."
Meanwhile, Chester yesterday turned down a bid from Yeovil Town for their midfielder Ben Davies.
"We see Ben as part of our future, and we are trying to build a squad here at Chester City not sell our best players," said Curle.
In another development Hull City turned down Chester's six-figure bid for their former midfielder Kevin Ellison.
Former Chester manager Mark Wright, who was suspended by Peterborough United last week, was last night officially dismissed by the London Road club.
A spokesman for Peterborough said: "The club feel badly let down after giving Mark the chance to re-establish himself within the football community."
