City get ready for Histon as Fabian leaves

Tomorrow, Chester will aim to net their first home win since Boxing Day 2008, yes it really has been that long since the Deva faithful witnessed their last home win.

It's Histon who stand in the way of that feat, and they'll be no easy pushovers, Histon being a big strong team who will no doubt cause an aerial threat to City's small team.

They haven't started as well as last season, where they chased play off glory, but they will certainly be difficult to play against, hopefully the lads can do the business and get some much needed points.

This is a BIG month for the Blues, as they have 4 out of the next 6 games at home, Histon, Tamworth, Gateshead & Stevenage, with the away games being at Eastbourne, before finishing off the month away to Wrexham in the first ever non league derby against the Goats.

So, can City now get on a run going into that game? Let's hope so.

Fingers crossed that we can do it.

Gregg Blundell may be given his first start since his return to injury, however it may be too soon for a return to action for Shaun Kelly. Anthony Barry is also in contention for a comeback.

One player who won't be coming back, is Fabian Yantorno, who has left by mutual consent, following the cancellation of his contract, the club have said that this is down to his injury problems - time will no doubt tell on that one.

Anyway come on you blues tomorrow!

Mystery surrounds Yantorno departure

Fabian Yantorno is to return to Uruguay in a bid to get fit - at least that's the news that the club have put out about the signing that Mick Wadsworth would light up the Blue Square premier League.

Several rumours are doing the rounds that Yantorno has in fact not received international clearance to play for the club, and also one that believes the Uruguayan has not been paid.

Wadsworth has said that the striker "needs his knee clearing out" and that he struggled after the Crewe game, in which he only played the last fifteen minutes, so disappointment then for City fans who had hoped to see him do some damage to the Conference teams, and not his own knee!

It's also a blow for City as he is likely to be away for 6-8 weeks according to the club.

Blues lose friendly, but Blundell back

Chester City lost their behind closed doors friendly against Crewe Alexandra 3-2 yesterday, although will be pleased that striker Gregg Blundell was back amongst the goals following his 20 minute appearance.

However, Manager Mick Wadsworth, still believes the striker is 3-4 games away from a return to action, which begs the question, why does it always seem to take longer for players at Chester to return from injury than any other club???

Blundell was alongside fellow injury victim Fabian Yantorno, who made a 5 minute appearance in the defeat, and hopefully he will see more action in future games, certainly Chester need him in the first team sooner rather than later.

City also fielded a South American striker, apparently recommended by Yantorno, and is believed to be from Argentina, although rumours of Lionel Messi have been quashed by City Officials, an insider said "We couldn't guarantee Messi a place in the starting eleven, so we had to turn down his application".

Glenn Rule & Shaun Kelly picked up injuries in the game, which is worrying as the Blues are of course back in action on Saturday at home to Mansfield, hopefully they are not too serious.

Blundell & Yantorno set to return

Gregg Blundell & Fabian Yantorno will take a further step towards their first team return tomorrow night, when they entertain Crewe in a behind closed doors friendly.

Blundell has been out injured since signing for City, whilst Yantorno pulled up just after signing, meaning both players missed the start of the season.

The Blues are desperate to increase their options up front, and the return of both Blundell & Yantorno would certainly boost that situation. Currently Nick Chadwick & Lloyd Ellams have been running the front line for City.

Shaun Kelly, is also set to return in the friendly at the Deva tomorrow, and Chester could certainly do with the centre half returning to bolster a defence that despite conceding 8 goals in its first two games, managed a clean sheet at Luton.

Manager Mick Wadsworth is now urging Chester to gain "consistency" which he believes is the key, and that the standard has now been set following the performance at Kenilworth Road.

Chester City have been drawn against Nantwich Town in the Qualifying Round of the FA Youth Cup, the game will take place on Wednesday 9th September, which is a day after the first team take on Tamworth at the Deva Stadium.

The season starts tomorrow at Grays

Now that Chester have finally been given permission to start the season in the Blue Square Premier League tomorrow at Grays, it's all eyes on the squad, to see what Chester can offer in their match against their opponents.

To be honest, there isn't a great deal of depth to the squad right now, but City are expected to include Michael Lea, the former Man Utd defender, who did well at Scunthorpe, and Tim Ryan, the former Doncaster Rovers defender who is the son of chairman John Ryan.

It looks as though the Blues will be without new Uruguayan signing Fabian Yantorno, and Gregg Blundell, who is back at Chester following his transfer from Darlington.

John Danby will start in goal for City, it was a major surprise to see Danby stay at the Deva following his excellent League performances, but it was a relief for Chester fans when he committed to a new deal at the club.

One signing that is expected to excite the fans is Lewis Alessandra, who has bagged two goals in his two pre-season games in a City shirt, so hopefully he can continue that kind of form, following the news today that he has signed on a month's loan from Oldham Athletic.

Hopefully City can get off to a winning start, and see themselves as -22 points come Saturday night!