The Chester City boss staged talks with members of the Blues' youth team yesterday before his scheduled talks with regular first team members tomorrow.

Davies was City's youth team boss before he took charge of the Chester first team following the dismissal of Bobby Williamson three months ago – and he has been keen to reward his hard-working youngsters.

Davies has already agreed to extend the contracts of six of the club's younger players, and Chester have taken up their option to keep Sean Newton, Glenn Rule, Shaun Kelly, Paul Rutherford, Chris Holroyd and Paul McManus.

And Davies last night rewarded promising midfielders Andy Mitchell and Glenn Rule, who were both elevated to first team duty towards the end of the season, with first-year professional contracts.

But Davies, who is hoping to sign three or four players during the close season, is acutely aware that at the top of his wanted list is a proven goalscorer.

Despite seeing young striker Paul McManus working hard and experienced targetman, John Murphy, demonstrating his superiority in aerial combat, Chester are still in need of a goalscorer.

City finished the season with three goalless draws, and they only scored one goal in their last five fixtures – the 2-1 home defeat against Lincoln City.

Attacking midfielder Kevin Ellison finished the campaign as City's leading marksman with just 11 goals, although he did miss a number of games due to injury and suspension.

Ellison and Murphy are two of eight first-team regulars who are under contract for at least another year, with the others being John Danby, Laurence Wilson, James Vaughan, Kevin Roberts, Mark Hughes, and Richie Partridge.

The player causing the most concern to Davies when he conducts his talks with first team members will be Player of the Year and centre half, Paul Linwood.

The defender is one of several Blues players set to become free agents this summer when their contracts expire.

Davies said: "We sat down briefly three or four weeks ago and Paul wants to stay. He just wanted to make sure what division we are in.

"He's really positive and he's all for the club. He's a real good lad.

It would be sad if we didn't retain him, but you have to do what's best for him as well."

Davies admits he has already made up his mind over who he wants to keep and has met managing director, Bob Gray, to draw up a 'retained' list.

Those facing an uncertain future include Phil Palethorpe, Simon Marples, Kevin Sandwith, Dean Bennett, Sean Hessey, Tony Grant and Simon Yeo, who are all out of contract this summer.

Experienced players, Paul Butler and Tony Dinning, who were frozen out of the squad by Davies last month, are also expected to move on.

- Chester have arranged pre-season friendlies at home to Carlisle United, and Swansea City, and the club are expected to announce five other friendlies soon.