Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson are set to formalise plans for their Chester FC retained list.

The deadline for Chester to submit their retained list is June 1, with widespread changes expected in terms of the shape of the first-team playing squad. Morley is currently in the process of speaking to contracted and soon-to-be out-of-contract Blues' players regarding their futures.

While experienced midfielder Gary Roberts, who hails from Blacon, could be offered a new deal by the new management duo, a host of other first-team players are set to move on to pastures new.

It remains to be seen whether the likes of Harry White, Lucas Dawson, James Akintunde, Nathan Brown and Andy Halls will be offered fresh terms.

Teenagers Tom Crawford and James Jones have already been offered contracts by the club, while Craig Mahon, Jordan Archer and Matty Waters remain under contract for another year.

"Bernard is holding talks with players this week and we will know more by the end of the week," Chester chairman David Harrington-Wright said.

"Anthony remains away but I understand he has spoken to players too and these days, you're never too far away from speaking to someone given the way we communicate.

"The retained list has to be submitted by the end of the month. They will do their due diligence and go forward from there."

Key to Chester’s plans next season remains the issue surrounding top earners Ross Hannah and Kingsley James. The duo both have a year left on their current deals, with the pair currently set to take up a large proportion of Chester’s first-team budget for next season.

Morley and Johnson have also spoken to prospective new additions to the squad, although their recruitment drive is expected to step up next week once Johnson has returned from a family holiday.

The former Salford and Ramsbottom duo have already earmarked a switch to part-time football for next season, with training two to three nights per week, as the pair feel they will be able to bring in better quality players on Chester’s current budget in a part-time structure.

“Full-time would be a real struggle, I don’t think it would work here,” said Morley, following the appointment last week. “We’ll be looking at a platform of training two to three nights per week, with maybe one morning session.

“The players we’ll look to work with and the players we’ll look to recruit, they’ll be better players in a part-time system.”

Chester will look to create a blend of 'youth and experience' for next season according to Morley, with an announcement set to be made regarding which members of Calum McIntyre's highly successful youth team are to be offered professional contracts.

"The youth team have provided the high point for the club this season, they've been a shining example," Harrington-Wright added, having witnessed the Under-19s secure five trophies over the course of 2017-18.

"During everything that's been going on, the financial problems, they've been solely focused on what they wanted to do, which was win trophies.

"It all came together at Walsall, a fantastic night for the football club. The atmosphere was brilliant and it was once again at the Deva on Sunday (the Open Cup final).

"They'd run through brick walls for Calum and his staff and they've had a cracking season. What a start they've had to their careers so far."