Wright still hoping for signings

Mark Wright has so far had his hands tied by Chester's transfer embargo

Chester manager Mark Wright still hopes to add to his squad before the end of the transfer deadline - to cope with a short-term defensive crisis.

Full-backs James Vaughan and Laurence Wilson are both banned for Saturday's trip to Lincoln and Sean Kelly faces six weeks out with a knee injury.

But Wright told BBC Radio Merseyside: "I will keep pestering the chairman.

"I think sometimes we kid ourselves. But I've never swayed from the fact that we need bodies in here."

Wright is not helped either by the fact that the club are up for sale or by the transfer embargo placed on the club last summer following a dispute with City's two most senior players, Paul Butler and Tony Dinning.

Once we get the men we want, we'll be a tough side to beat. I mean a real tough side

Chester City boss Mark Wright

City are still hoping to offload former skipper Butler, who has been offered to Northwich Victoria, and Dinning by the end of the month.

But City's hopes of selling Dinning to Inverness Caledonian Thistle were done no favours by the sacking on Monday lunchtime of Caley's management team of Craig Brewster and former Chester number two Malcolm Thomson.

Wright also has the far more uncomfortable option available to him of making money by selling 13-goal prize asset Ryan Lowe before the deadline closes on 2 February (1700 GMT).

But, two months into his third spell back at the Deva, the City boss still feels his side would make great strides if he can bring in the players he wants.

"Once we get the men we want," said Wright, "we'll be a tough side to beat. I mean a real tough side.

"If we can get them before the window closes, then great.

"If not, we get on with it and march on until the end of the season and see what that brings."

City are still waiting for full confirmation of the extent of Kelly's injury.

He was a surprise absentee from Saturday's home defeat by Chesterfield after suffering a ligament injury in the 2-2 home draw with Luton Town four days earlier.