MARK Wright has promised to give Chris Holroyd an opportunity to impress before the end of the season - but he is unlikely to pitch the promising striker in from the start at Walsall tomorr ow.

Blues boss Wright is aware of the growing pressure from fans to give Nantwich-born Holroyd an extended run in the team. The 20-year-old striker, who is yet to start a game for City, is a regular scorer for the reserves and has made a positive impression in many of his 15 appearances from the subs' bench this season.

With Chester positioned securely in mid-table, safe from the drop but 10 points adrift of the play-offs, Wright intends to thrust Holroyd and some of the club's other promising players into the first-team frame over the final 10 matches of the season.

But he is reluctant to give youth a chance against Walsall, who have mounted a strong promotion challenge off the back of an intimidating home record.

Wright said: 'Everyone keeps crying out for Chrissy Holroyd and when we feel it's right for the lad to start games, he will.

'When he comes on from the bench, he has more impact at this moment in time than he would if he was to start. He is a long way away from where he should play, which is at centre-forward.

'He just does things away from the goal and drops too deep, but I want him to hold a higher line. We don't feel he's ready to start games yet, but we'll see.'

And the City boss promised: 'Between now and the end of the season, Chris will get games - and once we get ourselves mathematically safe, there are a few boys that we are going to play.'

Chester's play-off bid has faded away on the back of a run of four games without a win but Wright is already planning for next season - and hinted that a switch to a more attack-minded 4-4-2 system could soon be on the cards.

He said: 'For sure there are going to be times now when we play 4-4-2 because in Bradley Maylett and Laurence Wilson we have got two good wingers. With those sort of players, they will excite the crowd.

'So for certain games, we're going to start playing 4-4-2 and have a real good go at people. It's the way ahead.'

On the injury front, Chester expect to welcome back Dave Artell at Walsall as the defender has recovered from the head wound he picked up in last Friday's 1-1 draw with Torquay. Striker Simon Yeo, however, has only an outside chance of facing the Saddlers due to an ankle ligament injury.