RICKY Ravenhill's on-off transfer to Chester City is back on and the Doncaster Rovers midfielder is expected to sign for the Blues this morning.

City have been on the trail of Ravenhill all summer but they ended their hunt for the 25-year-old last Tuesday, announcing in a statement on their official website that 'issues' with the player's agent contributed to the collapse of the move.

Chester chairman Stephen Vaughan, however, yesterday claimed to have struck a one-month loan agreement for Ravenhill with his Doncaster counterpart John Ryan.

Vaughan said: 'We've held talks with Doncaster and Ricky and everything is in place. We want to bring Ricky here for a month on loan with a view to making it a permanent move.

'The lad has agreed to our terms and all he needs to do is put pen to paper.'

City jumped the gun three weeks ago by announcing that Ravenhill had signed for them.

He was even given a squad number by Chester, despite still being a Doncaster player.

Providing there are no hitches this morning, Ravenhill will be included in City's squad for tomorrow's friendly against Huddersfield Town at the Saunders Honda Stadium.

The Blues are also on the trail of Spanish midfielder Roberto Martinez.

A contract offer has been put on the table for the talented playmaker, who Chester assistant manager Graham Barrow introduced to British football in 1995 when he was in charge of Wigan Athletic.

Martinez - a free agent since his release from Swansea City this summer - has been the subject of interest from clubs at a higher level but Barrow remains optimistic he will join the Blues.

He said: 'Roberto's looking for a challenge. It's fair to say that clubs from a higher division have approached him, but he doesn't want to be at a club that is just going for safety in a higher division. He would rather come to a club like ourselves who are going to have a go.'

Martinez came to Wigan in 1995 as one of the 'Three Amigos' signed by Barrow.

Since leaving the Latics in 2001, the 33-year-old has played for Motherwell and Walsall and made almost 50 appearances for the Swans last season.

The Blues are close to finalising their squad for next season and the capture of Ravenhill and Martinez would solve manager Mark Wright's midfield concerns.

As well as wanting to bolster the centre of his midfield, the City boss is also on the look-out for a goal-keeper to provide competition for John Danby and, if possible, a right-sided player.