Chester confirm defender signing while Blues may have to make Chorley changes

The Blues have added another loan player to their ranks ahead of the weekend

Phil Croker has signed for Chester on loan from Crewe Alexandra (CHESTER FC)

Chester have signed central defender Phil Croker on loan from Crewe Alexandra on a 28-day loan deal.

Blues boss Calum McIntyre had spoken on his desire to bring in another centre back following the exit of James Jones and the recall of Hayden Carson by Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this month.

With just Tom Leak and Festus Arthur in the building as senior starters, with Connell Rawlinson available again but having taken a back seat with playing to coach, Isaac Burgess’ lack of experience and need for games at a senior level out on loan, and Kevin Roberts, who can play at centre back if needed, out with a hamstring injury, the need was a pressing one.

The Blues had identified Croker early in the search given that he fits the profile of what McIntyre had been seeking, which was a young, mobile defender who was comfortable on the ball but who also had some experience at this level of football.

In Croker, 19, they feel they have found that, with the centre back having joined the Railwaymen from National League North side Oxford City in the summer for an undisclosed fee after impressing for them last season.

Croker has featured six times for Chester’s Cheshire neighbours this season, once in League Two earlier this month, while making one appearance in the Carabao Cup and four in the EFL Trophy. The Alex are keen for him to not lose the momentum built from last season’s impressive performances for the Hoops and keep developing at Chester.

The 28-day deal is just that for the time being, although there could be the option to extend that loan further if the deal works out for both parties in the coming weeks.

Croker arrives in time to face Chorley at the Deva Stadium tomorrow, a game that Chester very much need to get something positive out of in terms of a result having lost four of their last five in the league and at risk of starting to lose touch with the play-off places given the games in hand that some teams around them have.

Jack Bainbridge is a doubt for the Blues, but that could mean a return to the starting line-up for Declan Weeks, who despite not hitting his usual high notes as much this season, was excellent when introduced as a second-half substitute in the loss at Scarborough Athletic at the weekend, being the orchestrator of much of the good progressive, attacking play that ended up being wasted by poor finishing, decision making, and some excellent saves from Ryan Whitley in the Seadogs goal.

Striker Fin Roberts, another Crewe loanee at the Deva, is set to return to the squad after injury and could get some minutes, while Zak Emmerson is ruled out through a hamstring injury. Tom Peers could well get the nod to return to the starting line up.

New signing Michael Kelly, who joined the Blues on loan from Boston United earlier this week, isn’t expected to feature but is likely to play some part in the rearranged game against Spennymoor Town on Tuesday evening.