CHESTER CITY hope to finalise the signing of Doncaster Rovers midfielder Ricky Ravenhill today, and they are also expected to have further talks with former Liverpool and Bury striker Jon Newby.

Ravenhill has been a target of City manager Mark Wright for weeks, but after several complications during negotiations, it finally appears the player will move to the Deva Stadium for around £50,000.

Newby has been on trial with City for the past week, and has impressed the City management.

The club rested its senior players on Saturday, and fielded a reserve team against Northwich Victoria at a sun drenched Victoria Stadium.

The team, made up entirely of teenagers, only contained one player with senior first team experience, but they still gave a full strength Northwich squad a run for their money.

The Nationwide Conference outfit had the better of the opening exchanges, but City showed some neat touches and had an opportunity on 30 minutes, Mark Cadwallader just firing over.

Chester's defence, particularly first year professional Robert Marsh-Evans, looked impressive under pressure, while wing-back James Vaughan caused problems for the home de-fence with a series of surging runs.

The only goal of the game came after 56 minutes from former Chester player Craig Dove. Dove, who was released by City at the end of last season and is currently on trial with Northwich, fired an effort into the net through a ruck of players following a corner from Danny Mayman.

Chester introduced 16-year-old Jordan Barnes into the proceedings with six minutes of the game remaining. Barnes is a member of City's impressive YTS system, and is hoping to emulate the success of his father John, the former Liverpool and England favourite.

Chester's impressive youth system is overseen by Jim Hackett who was pleased with the way the youngsters acquitted themselves against their more experienced opponents.

"We had two or three chances to go ahead and conceded a poor goal from a defensive point of view. However, I thought the lads did extremely well."

CHESTER CITY: Vernon, Vaughan, Newton (Carney, 52), Roberts (Kelly, 75), Marsh-Evans, Wade (Gregory, 56), Rutherford (Barnes, 84), Cadwallader (Rule, 65), Holroyd, McManus (Carroll, 30), Potter (Morrin, 71).

ATTENDANCE: 548.