CHRIS Holroyd is making encouragingly rapid progress as he builds towards achieving his main aim - to become a first-team regular for the Blues.

After being completely over-looked for the first three games of the season, the 19-year-old has since started to force his way into manager Mark Wright's plans.

He was deployed from the bench against Wrexham, Leeds and Torquay and has earned his fair share of post-match praise from Wright, who is easing the promising striker into the first-team frame.

Holroyd admits he did not expect to have seen so much senior action at this early stage of the season.

'It's gone well for me so far,' said the Nantwich-born teenager. 'I'm pleased I've got in so early - I didn't expect to.

'I've done okay when I've got thrown in and I've only played in one of the reserve games this season.

'It's good to be involved (with the first team) all the time.'

Holroyd - snapped up by Chester following his release from Crewe Alex last summer - trained regularly with the senior players last season but his appearances were confined to youth and reserve team level as he was not registered on first-team forms.

Since Wright's arrival at the club in February, Holroyd has been taken under the former Liverpool defender's wing.

'It's good to have a manager who believes in your ability,' added Holroyd. 'If you have someone like that, you want to play for them and they get the best out of you. I'm enjoying playing for Mark Wright.

'He's been really helpful with me and he's always talking to me. The other strikers - Drewe Broughton, Jon Walters and Gregg Blundell - have also helped me quite a lot, giving me a lot of feedback in training.'

Holroyd is now looking forward to tonight's home clash with Swindon Town, hoping to be named once again in Wright's final 16.

Might a starting place be just around the corner?

'I wouldn't like to say,' insisted Holroyd. 'I'll just take any opportunity I get.'