CHESTER joint manager Bernard Morley has said the club our determined to try and hang on to on loan striker Akwasi Asante after the Dutchman scored his fourth goal in two games for the Blues.

The 26-year-old former Birmingham City forward has made a big impression since his arrival from Southern Premier side Tamworth with a hat-trick on his debut against Darlington before also netting in the 1-1 draw at Stockport.

But with the Blues handily placed going into the festive round of fixtures, a doubt remains over Asante's future whose loan terms means he could be returning to Staffordshire at the end of the month.

"Akwasi’s given us a real platform and he’s what you’d call a real centre forward," said Morley, following the Stockport result. "He does the right things. I still think he needs minutes in his legs, but for what he’s contributed in that short space of time since he’s been here, he’s been unbelievable. To score four goals against Darlington and Stockport is obviously a dream come true for him."

Just two games into his spell at the Swansway Stadium, Asante looks to have developed a decent partnership with fellow striker Anthony Dudley, but Morley admits it could be beyond his control if he returns to Tamworth.

"Decisions like that are out of our hands unfortunately," he said. "We love him, the lads love him and I think he's enjoying himself.

"It's still early days for him, but all we can do is see out the 28 days and see what the future holds for him. If the opportunity is there to make it permanent we'll push everything and do everything we can to make that happen."

Joint managers Morley and Anthony Johnson were forced to field a makeshift defence against Stockport after Danny Livesey limped off with an injury after just 20 minutes.

"It was very unlike Danny to come off a football pitch so we knew once he went down it was something sinister," said Morley. "It's his calf and we've got 14 days to get it right and he'll get treatment at Salford and treatment with us as well. Touch wood he'll be OK for the Telford game."

Chester do not face their Shropshire rivals until December 15 with the side's early exit from the FA Trophy meaning they face a rare Saturday off this weekend.

"To be fair the little break might do us right," said Morley. "We can have a rest but still work hard in training of course and work on one or two things."