Ross Hannah wants his future at Chester resolved as soon as possible.

The 32-year-old has another 12 months of a two-year contract still to run but along with team-mate Kingsley James, looks set to leave Chester this summer as part of cost-cutting measures, with the club set to operate on a vastly reduced budget in National League North next season.

The striker rejoined Chester last summer from Barrow but injuries blighted the first few months of his season. He scored nine times in 33 matches before joining Southport on-loan in March, owing to the financial crisis which had engulfed the club in January.

Hannah admits it's 'unlikely' he will be a Chester player next season, and feels the sooner his own future can be resolved, the better it will be for both himself and the club.

“Ever since January I’ve known that it was unlikely I’m going to be here for next season, I understand that,” the Sheffield-born forward said.

“But I hope people can understand from a player’s point of view, I’ve got to think about my family and responsibilities. I can’t just walk away and at the moment it looks like I will be coming back for pre-season.

“What I hope is we can sit down and amicably sort something out that suits all parties. I want what is best for Chester and the sooner it can be resolved the better it is for all of us."

While still under contract, Hannah insists he will continue to help Chester 'as best he can' and has described the appointment of co-managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley as 'fantastic'.

“Bernard and Jonno are a fantastic appointment, they’ve just won the league and know what it’s all about," he continued.

“If they said they wanted me to be a part of it for next season, of course I’d love to stay as I care deeply about the football club. But I’m realistic and I know that’s unlikely.

“The club is moving in a different direction now with a part-time structure and I want to talk to the club and help them as best I can.

“I’m happy to see the club is hopefully through the worst times and the new investment can hopefully help them.

“It’s not nice to see any of the club’s you’ve played for going through bad times. I hope they’ll have some good times moving forward.”

Hannah praised former boss Marcus Bignot for his handling of what was a tender situation for his senior players last season, with Hannah joining the likes of Tom Shaw, Alex Lynch, Paul Turnbull, John McCombe in leaving the club as the full extent of the club's dire financial situation was exposed.

“In January it became clear about those of us on two-year contracts,” said Hannah, who netted 26 goals for Chester during his first season at the Deva in 2015-16.

“It’s all well and good wanting to get a player out of the door straight away but it has to be the right move for the player and their family.

“Marcus was absolutely fantastic with me, a great, honest bit of man-management. I was all for staying to fight to try and stave off relegation, then the Southport opportunity came up.

“He left it up to me and said he’d have my back either way. It was going to help the club though as it meant my wages were covered in full until the end of the season, so it felt the right thing to do.”