They are joined by a whole quartet of suspensions, after Ryan Lowe, Dave Artell, and full backs Carl Regan and Scott McNiven received their fifth bookings of the season.

And to put the salt in the wound, Chris MacKenzie (thumb) and Ryan Brookfield (hamstring) leave Chester without a recognised goalkeeper in the squad.

So all in all, Chester have no goalkeeper; only Phil Bolland and Luke Dimech in defence, and Ben Davies, Stuart Drummond, Tom Curle, Craig Dove, Abdelhalim El Kholti Stephen Vaughan and solo striker Marcus Richardson to provide the attacking spark in Chester's side for Saturday.

It's Thursday, and already Rushden and Diamonds must be expecting easy competition at the weekend. Chester are without 11 players in a threadbare squad afterall.

But, in the words of a not-so-panicking Keith Curle: 'when all about are losing their heads, keep calm and you will succeed.'

Pull off a win on Saturday, and Keith, you are a God. Perhaps we can have a word with Mike Jones, Lord Mayor of Chester, about that vacancy next week...

chestercity.co.nr