A MAJOR injury crisis has struck Chester ahead of their return to National League North action.

Following exits in the FA Cup and the FA Trophy, the Blues return to the bread-and-butter of the league with tonight’s trip to Alfreton Town.

However, a number of key figures are out for Chester, most notably Tom Peers (broken foot) and Adam Thomas (broken arm).

They are joined on the sidelines by Matty Williams, Liam Edwards and Kieran Coates.

Manager Calum McIntyre told Chester FC TV: “The main thing to pick is whether we’ve got 11 players of the right level and fitness and quality, because you begin to wonder what you have done to deserve such luck, where we have two players who’ve broken bones in the same position.

“Kole Hall has to have surgery. They aren’t recurring problems, they’ve come out of absolutely nowhere.

“They’re not like idiotic training methods. They’re not fatigue injuries. It is crazy the way things are playing out.

“I think it’s the lowest point since I’ve been at the club in terms of in this role and, like I say, the responsibility rests with me.

“I think Tuesday’s game will come too soon. I really, really do.”

Leaders Tamworth host Brackley Town this evening, while second-placed South Shields welcome Curzon Ashton.

Other fixtures: Banbury v Bishop’s Stortford; Blyth v Chorley; Boston v Rushall Olympic; Buxton v Hereford; Darlington v Warrington; Farsley Celtic v Spennymoor; Scarborough v King’s Lynn; Scunthorpe v Southport.

The final ties in the group stages of the EFL Trophy take place tonight.

Wrexham are already guaranteed a home draw in the knockout stages. Crewe host Newcastle U21s in the group’s last game tonight.

Other teams through in the Northern draw include Blackpool, Port Vale, Wigan, Fleetwood, Bolton, Barnsley, Bradford, Derby and Lincoln.

Tonight’s other ties: Charlton v Sutton; Wycombe v AFC Wimbledon; Colchester v Peterborough; MK Dons v Northampton; Swindon v Exeter; Accrington v Nottingham Forest U21s; Bradford v Barnsley; Burton v Mansfield.

There’s one game in League One with Lincoln City heading to Leyton Orient while in the National League, leaders Chesterfield go to Woking.

Other fixtures: Bromley v Aldershot; Eastleigh v Boreham Wood; Ebbsfleet v Maidenhead; Halifax v Fylde; Kidderminster v Hartlepool; Rochdale v Altrincham; Solihull v Gateshead; York v Oxford City.