RYAN Lowe gets the chance to re-mind the Gay Meadow faithful of what they've been missing when he returns there in a Chester City shirt tomorrow.

The 27-year-old has been in scintillating form for the Blues since signing for them on a free transfer in March, scoring seven goals this season to move one clear of Gregg Blundell as leading scorer.

Ironically, Lowe's move came just weeks after he scored what turned out to be his final goal for the Shrews in a 5-0 hammering of his current employers.

The forward's goalscoring exploits have left many City fans wondering why he was allowed to leave the struggling Gay Meadow outfit in the first place.

Shrews boss Gary Peters, however, says he has no regrets over sanctioning Lowe's free transfer.

'I loved Ryan as a lad and we should all be delighted he has done well at Chester,' he said. 'If Ryan turns out to be the top scorer in the league I would be delighted for him - as long as he hasn't scored against us.'

Lowe, who spent five years with the Shrews, added: 'I can't wait to come back and it's a game I am really looking forward to.

'I think the manager (Peters) may have realised what he lost because I have scored seven goals for Chester and had a hand in 10 or 12 other goals and that could have been for Shrewsbury.

'But when I left I think the time had come when I had to move on to a fresh challenge - and there's no hard feelings.'

Lowe was a firm favourite with Town's fans, but his switch to the Shropshire club's bitter rivals means he could be in line for a mixed reception tomorrow.

Chester boss Keith Curle expects his leading scorer to cope if he is targeted by the home crowd.

'Ryan Lowe's got nothing to prove,' said Curle. 'His record this season is speaking for itself. It's always nice as a player to go back and get boos off the opposition's fans. You want people to boo you because it means they know you did a good job for them.'

Everton goalkeeper Sean Lake has this week been on trial at Chester.

The former England Under 16s international was due to play in Wednesday's reserve team match with Bury but it was postponed as the pitch at the Saunders Honda Stadium was water-logged.

Curle intends to watch him in action in the rearranged reserve match at Carlisle on Tuesday.

'He's a young goalkeeper that realises there's going to be a lack of opportunities at Everton,' said the City boss. 'He's come in for us to have a look at him and he's doing well.'

City have handed 18-year-old trainee Paul Rutherford a professional contract.

The midfielder made his senior debut in last Tuesday's LDV Vans Trophy match at Cambridge.

The Blues have been drawn away to Hartlepool United in the first round of the FA Youth Cup. The match will be played on Monday, November 7.

Phil Bolland is the only Chester player with four yellow cards to his name. A fifth would see the centre-back serve a one-match ban.