ANOTHER week of hard work in the gym has left Chester FC’s players desperate to get back to what they do best – playing football.

With outdoor training pitches frozen solid, manager Neil Young has put his squad through a ‘boot camp’ fitness programme, featuring circuit training, weightlifting and spinning classes, at Total Fitness on Liverpool Road.

It means the team have been far from idle during the big freeze – but they are now yearning for a return to playing football.

“They’ve been asking me if they’re the Chester weightlifting squad,” joked Young, who saw Saturday’s match at Clitheroe postponed along with last night’s home clash with Woodley Sports.

Chester have not played since the defeat of Skelmersdale United on November 20.

Young said: “You could say it’s come at a bad time really. We’d just got on a good run after going through a bedding-in period at the start of the season.

“Having said that, a few players were suffering from flu and sickness last week so the break came in handy in that respect.”

Chester are hoping to host Radcliffe Borough this Saturday (3pm).

Club officials have arranged a Christmas-themed day which will include a carol concert from the Abbey Gate College Choir and a performance from singer Scott Davies, winner of the Dee’s Got Talent competition.

Fans will also be able to purchase festive-themed items from the club shop and donate to the Chronicle/BiG Storage toy appeal (see page 24 for details).

Chester travel to Newcastle Town on Tuesday for a Challenge Cup, second round tie (7.45pm) which has been postponed twice already. Winger Roger Sharrock is likely to make his comeback from a long injury lay-off.