City welcome play-off hopefuls Northampton Town to the Saunder’s Honda Stadium on Saturday afternoon, in a game which Northampton have to win to keep alive any hope of a top 7 finish. Darlington lie two points above the side from Sixfields in the final play-off spot, and anything less than a victory will almost completely bring an end to that dream with only two league 2 games to be played more this season. Meanwhile, Chester have the as difficult task of impressing new manager Keith Curle, who will be watching from the main stand having only learnt of his acceptance to the Chester post on Thursday afternoon.
That means that David Bell, assisted by club physiotherapist Clive Goodyear will take charge in their final match on a caretaker basis, the pair dropping into the coaching scene on Monday. However, that taking nothing away from the duo, who led the club to League two safety after a fantastic win against Boston and a draw against Bristol Rovers in their first two games in charge.
Bell may have to alter his favoured 4-3-3 around Chester’s numerous injuries and suspensions, as he looks to go out on a high.

Team news: Michael Branch’s groin, coupled with a virus, is likely to keep the injury prone attacker out yet again. If Keith Curle does one thing at Chester, it would be nice to see him boost Branch’s mental attitude. Following his move from Bradford City in the summer, the former Everton man has failed to impress the Chester crowd to the extent that was expected. Far too many times, he has dropped his head after City have gone down results wise, and many injuries have kept him out for long periods, perhaps saying something more about his mental attributes…or perhaps not!

Darren Edmondson, who pulled his calf, is a doubt after going down in the game against Bristol Rovers, Carl Regan is likely to replace him at right-back, and failing that, Stephen Vaughan Jr. will look to start.
However, City face a major dilemma across the back save that fullback position. Centre-back Shaun Hessey, who played his last two City matches on the left of defence, starts a suspension after his sending off against Leyton Orient last weekend, and £150, 000 signing from Oxford, Phil Bolland was allegedly puched in that defeat, and looks likely to miss out with blurred vision. It leaves City with just one recognised centre half in Richard Hope, so Bell may opt to play three across the back.

In midfield, Carden, Davies and Drummond are likely to remain in a three man midfield, and assuming just three play in defence, defensive minded midfielder Andy Harris may even be drafted in as a fourth midfielder.

Ryan Lowe will head a three-man attack, with Robbie Foy, playing his final home game before returning to Liverpool, and Robbie Booth to his sides. Joe O’ Neil is suspended after receiving a late red card after joining Hessey in the referee’s notebook against Leyton Orient

Chester’s probable team:

Goalkeeper: Chris McKenzie

Defence: Richard Hope, Carl Regan, Phil Bolland/Stephen Vaughan

Midfield: Stewart Drummond, Paul Carden, Ben Davies, Michael Brown/Andy Harris

Forward: Robbie Booth, Robbie Foy

Striker: Ryan Lowe

Subsitute: Wayne Brown, Matty Cook, Phil Bolland/Stephen Vaughan, Michael Brown/Andy Harris, Michael Branch.

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