By Chris Thomspon
March 18 2005

Looking ahead to City's next League 2 game on Saturday 19th March, as City entertain fellow strugglers, Notts County at the Saunder's Honda Stadium. Chester have completed the signings of two defenders in time for Saturday’s clash, which is a repeat of the Blues opening game of the season, which resulted in a 1-1 draw for city in Ray Mathias’ first game in charge. Andy Nicholas and Carl Regan have joined the squad on a month’s loan, and until the end of the season respectively, and are likely to be thrown into tomorrow’s 16-man squad, as City look to end their defensive nightmare of recent weeks.
Ian Rush is however without 4 players for the encounter. Paul Carden sits out the second of his two match suspension, and the blues are yet to win whilst without the guidance of the hard working captain. Also absent are strikers Kevin Rapley and Cortez Bells. Belle has returned to Newport County on a loan deal extending until the end of the season, whilst Kevin Rapley is missing through personal reasons, as well as suffering from a slight hamstring injury.
City’s only other absentee is Andy Harris, who re-signed for Forest Green on loan for another month this week.
Notts County come to Chester on the back of two none-too-pretty results, a 3-1 defeat at the hands of lowly Kidderminster, and on Tuesday, a 4-0 defeat against Boston United.
Rush said in preparation to the game: "Paul Carden's a winner and he works really hard for us but it would be nice to get a win without him and make him work hard to get his place back.
"Notts County conceded four goals in 14 minutes and that might have flattered Boston.
"We conceded three in seven minutes last week so it shows how important it is to get that first goal, starting with Notts County."

Meanwhile, former City hero Ian Turner has joined Doncaster Rovers, again on loan from Everton, until the end of the season. The goalkeeper certainly made a name for himself with some fantastic saves during his spell in Chester’s successful campaign last year.

And, as expected, Robby Foy has extended his deal with Chester, for another month for the time-being.