CHESTER CITY'S management and players endeavoured to put their on-the-field problems behind them yesterday, and went on a bonding session.

Ian Rush and his assistant Mark Aizlewood took the squad go-karting in an attempt to bring everybody at the club closer together.

City chairman Stephen Vaughan said last night: "The last few results have been disappointing for all of us, and this go-kart experience is Ian and Mark's way of bringing everybody together, I think the common phrase these days is team-building.

"Everybody must pull together at this time, and I would ask all our supporters to turn up on Saturday, and get behind the lads with some positive support. There has been a blip in results lately and the lads need encouragement, that will go a long way to helping the club through this current patch."

Defender Dave Bayliss will miss tomorrow's Coca-Cola League Two match against Rushden & Diamonds because of suspension. He was sent off in injury time during the midweek game against Cheltenham Town, which brought about an immediate ban.

Paul Carden is likely to return to the heart of midfield tomorrow after a two-match ban, Michael Brown, who suffered concussion during last weekend's game at Swansea, could also make a comeback. He trained on Wednesday, and if the club doctor permits, he will be included in the squad.

Chester have been in discussions with Mansfield Town over the fixture at Field Mill on Easter Saturday, March 26. The Nottinghamshire club want to bring the kick-off time forward to 11am to avoid a clash with England's televised game against Northern Ireland, but City would like a slighter later start time to give their fans more time to travel.

Meanwhile, former City assistant manager Steve Bleasdale has been appointed manager of Nationwide Conference bottom club Leigh RMI.