Another busy day for Chester FC at the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium began with Ross Killock giving us an update on his injury situation.
The Blues defender has yet to feature for the club this season since signing from Leeds United in the summer after a recurrence of a calf injury.
Killock revealed he completed 45 minutes of a behind-closed-doors friendly against Port Vale on Tuesday and that he feels a return is close.
Killock said: "I wanted to get in and hit the ground running, which hasn't been the case, but I got 45 minutes and I'm getting back up to speed now and I'm fit and ready to go."
DOSWELL'S BIZARRE TIRADE
Sutton United manager Paul Doswell launched a stinging attack on former Football League clubs, suggesting his U's side don't get the respect they deserve in the National League.
Sutton, who sit third in the National League, beat Macclesfield Town on Saturday and arrive at Chester this weekend in buoyant mood following three wins on the spin.
Said Doswell: "They’ve said we have a sh*t ground, sh*t players, sh*t facilities and sh*t food – then we beat them and we’re enjoying every minute.”
I HAVE TO MAKE THESE PLAYERS BELIEVE
Blues boss Jon McCarthy says the onus is on him to make sure his side realise their potential.
Chester have endured a tough start to the season, losing three of their five games in the National League so far, leaving them 19th.
Defeats to Gateshead, Maidstone United and Barrow all saw the Blues concede three goals but a 3-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge, who have won their other four games so far, highlighted Chester’s promise.
“There are perceptions around this football club of where we have been in recent years and where we should be in the standings,” said McCarthy. “But I’m not like that, I think that we can win every single game we play in."
NO AKINTUNDE FOR SUTTON TEST
McCarthy revealed that Oluwaseun Akintunde won't be fit for the visit of Sutton United this weekend.
Akintunde has a grade one hamstring injury, picked up in the warm up for the draw at Boreham Wood on Saturday.
He may, however, be fit in time for the trip to Woking on Monday (3pm) where James Alabi will return from his three-match suspension.
NO LOAN SIGNINGS LIKELY
The transfer deadline window closes at 11pm on Wednesday for Premier League and Football League sides but it won't affect Chester and the rest of the National League until March.
McCarthy revealed today that he most likely won't be dipping in to the loan market to add to his squad, insisting he is happy with what he already has at his disposal.
"We don't have it (the transder deadline) in the National League and it is the third week in March that it affects us," said McCarthy.
"I'm really happy with my squad. Clearly you need that luck with fitness but we have put in a lot of work with this group that I feel will come to fruition and to bring in other people where I have to start again with them, I just don't think I to."
