CHESTER CITY chairman Stephen Vaughan confirmed last night that the former Manchester City and Stoke City player Mike Sheron was training with the club.

The club's website revealed the closely guarded secret yesterday, and the 32 year-old midfielder is likely to figure in tomorrow's pre-season friendly against Walsall at the Deva Stadium.

"Sheron has been with us for the past week or so, and Mark Wright and his staff are running the rule over him," said Vaughan.

The City chairman continued: "The player is likely to figure at some stage against Walsall, and a decision will no doubt be taken in the next week or so.

"We have built a strong squad at the Deva Stadium, and hopefully we will draw a good crowd for this first pre-season friendly, and the fans will be rewarded with some impressive showings from our new signings." Sheron, who was born in Liverpool, started his career at Maine Road, before spells with Norwich City, Stoke City, Queens Park Rangers, Barnsley, and Blackpool. The player has also been capped at England under-21 level.

Chester yesterday re-registered all their existing players in preparation for life in the Football League. Contracts were officially changed from Nationwide Conference registrations to League forms, in preparation for the return to the League on August 7.

Paul Merson, Walsall's player/manager, said: "I will certainly play for some part of the game at Chester."