NEIL Young has tipped Antoni Sarcevic to flourish in a new role for Chester FC next season.
The attacking midfielder spent most of the 2011-12 campaign out on the right wing following his move from Crewe Alexandra in November.
But with Alex Brown and Christian Smith having left the club, Blues boss Young is planning to use Sarcevic in a more central position in the Blue Square Bet North.
He believes the switch could bring out the best in the talented 20-year-old.
Young said: “When people are talking about who is going to play in midfield for us next season they should not forget we’ve got a lad, who’s just 20, who was part of the Crewe squad which has done fantastically well to get promoted.
“Antoni came here at a time when the season was up and running and we were bustling along.
“But now we’ve got the time to work with him in pre-season, get our points across and give him more opportunities to play in the centre of midfield.
“He got games for a Crewe team who, from what I’ve seen on the television, look a real breath of fresh air, so we people shouldn’t forget what we’ve already got at the club.
“Yes Alex Brown is a big loss and Christian Smith has also moved on as well but in Sarcevic, Ashley Williams, Levi Mackin and Michael Powell I think we’ve got one of the best midfields in the league.”
Young is looking for a left-sided midfielder, to provide competition for Iain Howard, and he is also chasing a striker.
One area he is not looking to strengthen is his defence after Dom Collins and Paul Linwood became his third and fourth signings of the close season.
Both are natural centre-backs although Young says Collins can fill in at right-back and former Chester City captain Linwood at left-back.
Their versatility has led to Liam Brownhill leaving.
The 25-year-old, who played 35 times and scored one goal for the Blues last season, has followed Chris Simm in signing for Welsh Premier League outfit Bangor City.
Brownhill said on Twitter: “Would like to thank everyone at Chester FC, great fans, great set of lads – going to miss you all. Best of luck in the future.”
