NEIL YOUNG is on the look-out for a loan signing after learning he will be without club captain George Horan for Boxing Day’s Cheshire derby at Northwich Victoria.
The Chester boss confirmed he had already been in contact with a few clubs to enquire about a short-term replacement for his influential centre back.
Horan was due to serve the first of a four-match suspension last night, but the Blues’ scheduled league match at Kendal Town was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Horan has twice been dismissed this season – at Nantwich Town and at Hednesford Town – but was expecting to return to action in the Blues’ Christmas fixture at the Victoria Stadium against Cheshire neighbours Northwich.
He will be sidelined for this Saturday’s home match against Worksop Town, the following Saturday’s FA Trophy first round tie at North Ferriby United or Corby Town, as well as away fixtures at Marine on Saturday, December 17, and the Boxing Day match at Northwich.
“There’s a probability now that George will miss our match at Northwich on Boxing Day because of our game at Kendal being postponed,” Young said.
“I wasn’t too upset about the match being called off because our club scout, Alex Hay, went up to Kendal on Saturday to watch their game against Mickleover Sports and he said the pitch was a quagmire and he had been surprised to see the match played.
“The postponement is obviously bad news as far as George is concerned because he would have been back in time for Boxing Day if the Kendal match had gone ahead.
“But I’ve got to look at the bigger picture and it’s probably a blessing in disguise, apart from George’s position, that the Kendal game was called off because the match would have been a real leveller on a heavy pitch.
“I’m now on the look out for a loan player to cover for George while he is suspended with the FA Trophy in mind because I want to see us making good progress in the FA Trophy and in the league.
“I’ve already spoken to a few clubs about players who will be eligible for us in the FA Trophy, but anyone I sign will have to be better or as good as we have already got at the club.
“Christian Smith could cover for George alongside Michael Taylor, but I prefer to use Christian as a holding midfielder.
“I want to bring a player in who will be fit and ready to go as well as doing us justice at this level.”
Young has been understandably impressed with the defensive partnership forged between Horan and Taylor so far this season that has rewarded the Blues with 11 cleansheets in 17 games together.
He added: “George and Michael have been fantastic together in our defence so far this term and the number of clean sheets achieved speaks volumes for the way they have both performed.”
Young is now preparing his squad for the home match against Worksop on Saturday and is expected to include striker Michael Wilde whose wife gave birth to a son on Sunday night.