CHESTER CITY manager Mark Wright will today endeavour to bolster his newly-acquired - and underachieving - squad with the acquisition of two players.

Wright will make a formal bid for Telford United central defender Jim Bentley and try to bring in Phil Bolland from Oxford United on loan.

City chairman Stephen Vaughan said last night: "We both agree that we need to strengthen our first-team squad and as such we will make an official written offer for Bentley. And also endeavour to bring in Bolland on loan with a view to a permanent transfer."

Merseyside-based Bentley started his career with Manchester City and joined Telford in 1997. This season his partnership with former Everton central defender Neil Moore has createdone of the best defensive duos in Nationwide Conference football with the Shropshire side currently occupying a top six position.

Phil Bolland moved from Southport to Oxford in the summer when Wright took over the managerial position at the Kassam Stadium, but since Ian Atkins took over as the third division club's supremo he has found it difficult to hold down a regular first-team place.

The disappointing defeat against local rivals Northwich Victoria on Tuesday night left City in a perilous league position and facing a second relegation in two years, but the acquisition of new players means that some of the existing squad will have to move out.

"We have too many players at the club now, who unfortunately don't figure in our future plans, so we will have to reduce our wage bill in order to bring in the much-needed replacements," said Vaughan.

The City chairman announced another behind-the-scenes appointment last night when he divulged

that he had welcomed Merseysidebased businessman John Staunton onto the club's board of directors.

Staunton, who is a former professional footballer, is enthusiastic about his new role. "I am excited about joining Stephen and his fellow board members at Chester. Hopefully the club is beginning to turn the corner and that a bright new future beckons," he said.

Chester entertain Stourport Swifts in the FA Umbro Trophy third round at the Deva Stadium on Saturday when there will be reduced admission for all supporters.