CHESTER FC boss Neil Young is still waiting to hear whether former Chester City defender Rob Marsh-Evans will accept a deal he has been offered and sign for the Division One North club.

Young remains hopeful he can secure the services of the 24-year-old, but faces competition from Conference North clubs Harrogate Town and Alfreton Town.

Marsh-Evans has recently played on loan for Vauxhall Motors, and is currently a Southport player, and Young said: “I’ve had numerous conversations with Rob and I’ve made him an offer.

“At the end of the day I’d love him to come to Chester, but I’m not going to budge on what I have offered him.

“I hope he understands the structure that has been put in place at Chester and that he also understands what we are trying to do at the club.

“I would love him to come to Chester and try and get us out of the league we are in.
“He’s been at Chester once before and he knows all about the quality of the ground and the facilities we have.

“The offer has been put on the table for him and I’m waiting to now hear whether he will accept the deal.

“I can’t afford to offer him any more because of the budget that I have, but I understand from his point of view that he needs to find the financial deal that is right for him.”

Welsh-born Marsh-Evans started his career at Chester City as a youth team player and earned himself a professional contract with the Blues in 2006.

He spent brief spells at Droylsden and Leigh Genesis, before signing for Vauxhall, and then for his current club Southport.

But Sandgrounders’ boss Liam Watson has alerted several clubs by confirming that Marsh-Evans can leave Haig Avenue.

Meanwhile, Chester are expected to welcome back experienced midfielder Andy Burgess for this Saturday’s scheduled home league match against Prescot Cables.

The injured Burgess was rested as a precaution for Chester’s 4-0 victory at Salford City last weekend, but is targeting a return to action this Saturday, and Young said: “I rested Andy as a precaution on Saturday, but I’m hoping to see him available for selection against Prescot Cables.

“Club captain George Horan, who has been carrying a knock, is also expected to be available as well as striker Robbie Booth who was an unused substitute at Salford.

“But Roger Sharrock is still struggling with a back injury and is now due to see a specialist because the problem doesn’t seem to be clearing up.” 

- Chester have been drawn at home to Witton Albion in the first round of the President’s Cup, to be played on Wednesday, October 27, at the Exacta Stadium.

It will be the second meeting in the space of 21 days between the two sides, who meet at Wincham Park on October 6, in the Evo-Stik League One North.

The full first round draw is: Sutton Coldfield Town v Kidsgrove Athletic; AFC Fylde v Warrington Town; Belper Town v Quorn; Clitheroe v Bamber Bridge; Durham City v Harrogate Railway Athletic; Garforth Town v Goole AFC; Lancaster City v Prescot Cables; Loughborough Dynamo v Lincoln United; Mossley v Curzon Ashton; Newcastle Town v Trafford; Rushall Olympic v Market Drayton Town; Shepshed Dynamo v Glapwell; Skelmersdale United v Salford City; Stamford v Grantham Town; Woodley Sports v Wakefield; Chester v Witton Albion.