Struggling Chester suspend Mozika

Mozika has managed to play just one game in three months for City

Chester City have suspended midfielder Damien Mozika on the eve of one of the biggest games in their history for "serious breaches of club discipline".

City play Aldershot on Saturday knowing that anything less than a win means relegation from the Football League.

Chester owner Stephen Vaughan said: "We have been left with no alternative but to reach this decision.

“To add to the problem, he refused to play against Bournemouth last weekend, despite being declared fit."

Frenchman Mozika, 22, looked a good signing for City last summer when he was signed by then-boss Simon Davies after impressing in a two-week trial following his release by Nantes.

But up-for-sale Chester's ongoing financial problems have had a demoralising effect at the Deva Stadium.

Apparently, two clubs have shown interest in signing the player, and I wonder if this interest has been part of the motivation behind Mozika’s unacceptable behaviour

Chester owner Stephen Vaughan

And, since picking up a reported hamstring injury in January, Mozika has now been available for selection for City just once in the past three months.

That culminated in his refusal to play in last weekend's vital home clash with relegation rivals Bournemouth, despite Vaughan admitting that he had been passed fit "by both our club doctor and the club’s physiotherapist".

Vaughan added: "The player has been involved in some unacceptable behaviour during the past fortnight, which are without doubt serious breaches of club discipline.

"Apparently, two clubs have shown interest in signing the player, and I wonder if this interest has been part of the motivation behind Mozika’s unacceptable behaviour.

"We shall be retaining the player’s registration, and having further discussions with his agent."

Mozika is expected to fly home to France on Friday.

Meanwhile, Chester players Jay Harris and David Mannix have been given a further two weeks to respond to Football Association charges of illegal betting.

The allegations relate to a match last May when Bury won 2-0 at Accrington Stanley, for whom the two players were with at the time.

Both are in contention for Saturday's crucial to the Recreation Ground. But Ritchie Partridge and Kevin Ellison are both suffering from hamstring injuries. And City also have concerns about defenders Shaun Kelly (knee) and captain Paul Linwood (calf).