Experienced midfielder Tony Dinning is ruled out of Chester's clash with Stockport on Saturday as he is required to serve a one-match ban.Dinning - who joined from County last October and enjoyed two spells at Edgeley Park - was sent off in the latter stages of Monday's 1-0 defeat at Peterborough for two bookable offences.

Fit-again striker Richie Partridge will be hoping to add to his brace against Stockport earlier in the season, while Chris Holroyd (hamstring) and skipper Paul Butler (foot) remain injury doubts.

The duo missed the game against Posh and could again be absent as the Blues bid to secure back-to-back home wins after the 2-1 success over Darlington last Saturday.

Tony Grant stepped up his rehabilitation from a calf injury with an appearance for the reserves in midweek and could come into contention, but Nathan Lowndes (back) is still ruled out.

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