Chester City

Blundell steps up rehabilitation
Chester City striker Greg Blundell is closing in on a return to fitness following an ankle injury which has delayed his full debut for the Blues. Blundell, the club's record signing, missed City's first two games with the injury sustained in training following his summer move from Doncaster Rovers. But the 27-year-old resumed ball-work with Keith Curle's squad on Tuesday. "We'll assess his progress and fitness, and hope he won't suffer any adverse reaction," Curle told the Daily Post.

Wolves 5-1 Chester
Darren Anderton struck a stunning goal on his debut to help Wolves to a comfortable Carling Cup first-round win against Chester. He slotted home a free-kick with some style in the 72nd minute by which stage his team were already 3-0 up. Kenny Miller scored the first after six minutes - the only goal of the half. But after the interval Anderton, Ioan Viorel Ganea and Colin Cameron twice scored, while Ben Davies got a consolation goal for Chester. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wolverhampton: Ikeme, Kennedy, Lescott (McNamara 80), Gyepes, Edwards, Davies, Seol (Ndah 55), Cameron, Anderton, Clarke (Ganea 70), Miller. Subs Not Used: Olofinjana, Postma. Booked: Gyepes. Goals: Miller 6, Cameron 62, Anderton 72, Cameron 74, Ganea 79. Chester: MacKenzie, Regan (Bertos 69), Bolland, Dimech, McNiven, Hessey, Walker (Blundell 45), Curtis, Drummond, Davies, Branch (Vaughan 75). Subs Not Used: Brookfield, Curle. Booked: Bolland, Hessey. Goals: Davies 83. Att: 9,518. Ref: T Leake (Lancashire).

Curle vow over Chester finances
Chester boss Keith Curle says severance payments will be made to former players as soon as possible to enable them to make new signings at the Deva Stadium. The club has a cash-flow problem after two pre-season friendlies were cancelled and investment was made to get the ground up to scratch. Curle said: "A number of players left but we couldn't pay two or three as you can't get blood out of a stone. "As soon as there is money in the football club, they will be paid." He added: "I can sympathise with the players and as soon as I spoke to the PFA I spoke to the players. "As a football club, we're well aware of our responsibilities and we have to take it on the chin and be honest about it." Chester are currently 10th in League Two after a solid start to the season.

Chester transfer embargo lifted
Chester's transfer embargo has been lifted by the Professional Footballers' Association after the club successfully repaid money to the players' union. City boss Keith Curle will be able to utilise the new emergency loan option, despite the transfer deadline having passed at the end of August. Club chairman Steve Vaughan has also agreed to address unpaid tax and rent bills for the Deva Stadium. Vaughan is adamant that the club's future is secure.

Chester 2-0 Carlisle
Gregg Blundell and Dave Artell scored goal each as Chester continued to defy their status as relegation candidates with a comfortable victory. In the 11th minutes, defender Artell forced the ball over the goal-line from Michael Branch's header. Carlisle edged back into the game with Karl Hawley twice being denied by City keeper Chris MacKenzie. But Ryan Lowe threaded a neat ball through to Blundell who sealed the win with a left-foot finish. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chester: MacKenzie, McNiven, Artell, Dimech, Regan, Davies, Drummond, Walker (Curtis 85), Branch (Richardson 84), Blundell, Lowe (El Kholti 78). Subs Not Used: Vaughan, Bertos. Booked: Lowe. Goals: Artell 11, Blundell 40. Carlisle: Williams, Arnison, Livesey, Gray, Aranalde, McGill, Lumsdon (Glenn Murray 45), Adam Murray, Billy, Murphy, Hawley. Subs Not Used: Beharall, McClen, Grand, Westwood. Booked: Arnison. Att: 3,394 Ref: T Bates (Staffordshire).

Chester name junior scouting head
Chester have appointed Ronnie Taylor to head their junior scouting network. Taylor has previously worked as youth development officer at Tranmere and Preston North End. He told the Daily Post: "When I was with Tranmere I unearthed players like Jason Koumas, Iain Hume, Alan Mahon and Steve Simonsen. "My job is to find players from the ages of seven up to 19 and hopefully we can find players of that quality for Chester. I can't wait to start."

Trollope satisfied after victory
Bristol Rovers boss Paul Trollope said he was satisfied after his team's 2-1 win over Chester - but said he wanted to win by a more convincing scoreline. "There was some cramp out there, some were on their last legs and it was that as much as anything that led to a nervy ending," Trollope said. "It left a bit of a bad taste to win 2-1 rather than 3-0 or 4-0. "But we had enough chances throughout the match and I think we deserved the three points."

Curle planning goalkeeper appeal
Chester boss Keith Curle is planning to appeal against the red card which was shown to goalkeeper Stephane Gillet in the 2-1 defeat at Bristol Rovers. Gillet saw red when City were already 2-0 down after he brought down Rovers striker Junior Agogo. "Both players made an honest attempt to win the ball, and there was no intention to foul," Curle said. "In any case, there were defenders covering and the striker was heading away from goal."

Roberts handed trial with Chester
Crewe defender Mark Roberts has joined League Two Chester on trial. The 22-year-old has recently returned from a loan spell in the Conference with Southport. Chester boss Keith Curle said: "He comes highly-recommended. Crewe manager Dario Gradi doesn't mess about and he's told me Roberts can play. "He's got a good understanding of the game. With Crewe not having a reserve team, he wasn't spotted until he was playing in non-league."

Chester defeat sparks Curle exit
League Two strugglers Chester City have parted company with manager Keith Curle after their latest loss. His nine-month tenure ended after Chester were beaten 2-0 by Leyton Orient - their 11th defeat in 12 games. Chester's miserable recent run of form has left them just four points above the drop zone. A statement on the club's official website confirmed Curle's departure and added: "Further information will be announced when appropriate." In December, it was reported that Chester chairman Steve Vaughan was to offer manager Curle an improved contract

Wright returns as Chester manager
Chester have announced that Mark Wright will return to the club as manager until the end of the season. The 42-year-old former Liverpool and England defender makes a comeback at the Deva Stadium only 18 months after leaving in acrimonious circumstances. Wright went on to manage Peterborough but was sacked last month on the grounds of gross misconduct. He has launched a legal action against Posh - for alleged breach of contract and the harm caused to his reputation.

Chester boss Wright in clear-out
Chester are planning a mini clear-out as they fine-tune their squad. City are to make seven players available for loan moves with their names due to be circulated to lower league and Conference clubs. The move is designed to free up funds for manager Mark Wright to bring in a couple of new faces while adhering to the League's wage-capping rules. Meanwhile, Chester's Justin Walker, 30, is set for a spell on the sidelines after injuring an ankle in training.

Chester place six players on list
Chester City have confirmed the names of six players they have made available for loan moves before the deadline later this month. Keeper Stephane Gillet, defender Luke Dimech, midfielders Craig Dove, Tom Curle and Abdou El Kholti and striker Marcus Richardson are all up for grabs. Richardson is reported to have attracted interest from Conference sides Aldershot, Woking and Southport. Chester have been linked with a move for Peterborough winger Ryan Semple.

Keeper Gillet released by Chester
Chester City have released goalkeeper Stephane Gillet. The Luxembourg international has reached a settlement on the remainder of his contract and is expected to return to play in his home country. Gillet, 28, joined Chester in January and started ten games for the League Two side. However, the signing of youngster Paul Harrison and Chris McKenzie's impending return from injury has pushed him down the pecking order.

Darlington 1-0 Chester
Ten-man Darlington ended a five-game winless run with victory over Chester to keep their play-off hopes alive. Andy Cooke missed several chances to put the hosts ahead and Chester nearly took the lead when Ben Davies saw a thunderous drive saved by Sam Russell. The Quakers were rocked when Clark Keltie was sent off for lashing out with an elbow on Ryan Lowe. But they still managed a winner, Dutch defender Shelton Martis heading home a Neil Wainwright corner late on. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Darlington: Russell, Stockdale, Clarke, Martis, Valentine, Webster (Simon Johnson 84), Keltie, Peacock (Wainwright 59), Dickman, Cooke (Sodje 76), Jemal Johnson. Subs Not Used: Norton, Kendrick. Sent Off: Keltie (56). Booked: Valentine, Webster. Goals: Martis 75. Chester: Harrison, McNiven, Albrighton, Ellender, Hessey (El Kholti 78), Regan (Tait 70), Drummond, Curtis, Davies, Lowe, Blundell. Subs Not Used: Artell, Richardson, Stephen Vaughan. Booked: Albrighton, Curtis. Att: 3,593 Ref: C Boyeson (E Yorkshire).

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