Chester striker Ross Hannah has allayed fears he could be set for a long spell on the sidelines and hopes to be fit for the start of the new season.

The 31-year-old, who bagged 25 goals for the Blues in the 2015/16 season, has been limited to just 40 minutes of pre-season action so far, having come off with a calf injury in the 5-1 win at Runcorn Town last week.

Speaking after the Blues’ 3-2 defeat at Altrincham on Tuesday, Hannah explained the injury is ‘nothing serious’ but admitted he’d suffered a setback when attempting to step up his training at the weekend.

“I had a setback at the weekend, it felt good enough to step up my rehab as such, and I felt it again,” the Sheffield-born striker explained.

“That’s put me back a few more days, it’s nothing major just a case of getting it right and not breaking down again. The lads out there who would’ve played through some fatigue or tightness, when it becomes sore and niggling. It’s something you’ve got to look after, I felt the tightness at Runcorn so I came off.

“It’s frustrating especially after last season just sitting there and watching it, so it’s hard. But I’d take an injury now rather than in the season all day.

“It’s just missing out on minutes but I’m a fit guy anyway, I’m just not getting the sharpness which you get from games rather than training.

“Hopefully I can get over it soon and get back training next week. I’d like to think by Monday I won’t be far off full training.

“I’ll just take it a day at a time. We’ve got fantastic physios in Kath and Luke who know what they’re doing, so I don’t want to push it and breakdown again, so I’ll rest, let it heal and step it up next week. Do the right things, treat it right and then bounce back.”