Chester City

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Jim Harvey

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Kidderminster v Chester

Chester will travel to Kidderminster on Saturday knowing that a win will finally eradicate the deficit that they started the season with.

City have done well to erase the 25-point deduction and after a recent run of three wins, boss Jim Harvey entertained ideas of escaping relegation. But after losing five of their last six, reality hit home that it is now near impossible.

Harvey told the ChesterChronicle: "It would be nice to knock the points off this weekend and get to zero because that has always been the target for the players. That is our motivation.

"But we're not in a fit and healthy state, and it's pretty much beyond us, I'd say, as far having a serious ambition of catching the teams above us. That ambition has died a death over recent weeks, but we've got to battle on."

Harvey's squad contains just 14 professionals after five key players were ruled out last month.

"A lot of the boys that are now in the team are young and they are getting an opportunity they otherwise would not have had, and they can benefit from the experience."

Top-scorer Nick Chadwick misses out against Kidderminster due to a one-match ban while Kevin Roberts returns from suspension although Neil Ashton, Rhys Meynell and Kristian Platt are all out.

Kidderminster caretaker player-manager John Finnigan, who took over after Mark Yates left to take over at League Two side Cheltenham Town, is hoping to be considered permanently for the role. He is presently working alongside skipper Chris McPhee, midfielder Dean Bennett and physio Gavin Crowe with the quartet fully aware of the task that awaits them this weekend.

Finnigan told Worcester News: "I'm not sure how things will pan out. If we get a few good results and I enjoy it, then you just don't know.

"But all I'm thinking about at the moment is getting the players ready for the Chester game."

Kidderminster must make do without midfielder David McDermott, who was struck down by a virus recently while Kyle Hadley is still out with a groin strain but Martin Riley is available after completing a one-match ban.

A pitch inspection will take place at 10.30am on Boxing Day.