The Gaffer assesses Atkinson and Lancaster at Chester

Boss Steve Davis has run the rule over his latest two trialists, Chris Atkinson and Cameron Lancaster, after they both started the friendly draw with Chester at the weekend.

They have both been released from their respective clubs this summer and are bidding to earn a contract elsewhere in time for the new season.

Striker Lancaster and midfield man Atkinson had been training with the Alex last week and Davis has seen some positive signs in the pair.

He said: “We invited them in to have a look at them. They had only been in for three days and then for the game (Chester). I haven’t spoken to Neil, James or the Chairman about them yet, so we’ll see what happens next.

“Chris hadn’t been training with anybody, so that was really his first taste of football this season. He’s a little bit behind the others, but I thought for the 70 minutes he was good, worked hard and got up there and got some opportunities.

“He took his goal well, that’s what he can do. He’s got a decent record of scoring goals from that position and he’s used to playing in a midfield three at Huddersfield in the Championship and he averaged one in three goals at Chesterfield. He’s got the capabilities of being a goal-scoring attacking midfield player which is really what we’re looking for.

“We tried to get more support up there around Cameron, but he was left a little bit isolated at times. He’s another one who was a little bit tight around his groin at half-time. He’s had a history of injuries and you’ve got to be very delicate when they’ve had a history of that.