NEIL YOUNG is planning to have his full squad of 20 players in place for his club’s first training session on June 22.

The Chester boss revealed talks with further prospective signings were ongoing while he waited for news of the Blues’ appeal against the FA’s recommendation to place Chester in the Vodkat North West Counties League.

He said: “I’m still talking to players I have been wanting to sign, but until we have established which league Chester will be playing in, I won’t be making any further signings.

“I have been happy with all 14 of my acquisitions to date, and I’ve still got money available in the budget to sign more players.

“But I do need to find out whether Chester will be starting in the Vodkat North West Counties League, or the EvoStik (formerly Unibond) League, because I will need a few more experienced lads if we are going to start in the EvoStik League.”

Young, his assistant Gary Jones, and club coach Gary Powell are all anxious to see Chester kick-off their campaign, but Young insists that Blues’ fans must focus their sights on the coming season rather than speculate about getting Chester back to where they were - in the Blue Square North.

He added: “I think a few people are possibly running before they can walk in the case of forecasting success for a brand new club at Chester.

“We all have to concentrate on where we are this season and we have to fully respect both the Vodkat and EvoStik League clubs.

“I have been involved in non-league football for a long time and I know how difficult it is to make any progress within the non-league pyramid system.

“Ideally we will hopefully start in the EvoStik League, but at the end of the day we must all deal with what we are given and where we are now instead of looking ahead to three or four years time.

“I have 14 players currently in place and a coach. I have been delighted with the progress I have made in such a short space of time, but it has had to be that way.

“The important thing now is that I assemble a squad of 20 players in time for our first pre-season training on June 22.”

- The FA press office were not prepared to reveal the decision of Chester’s appeal last night before we went to press.