The Chester City attacking midfielder finished last season as leading goalscorer and has returned to training after being linked with a move to Stockport County.

He said: "I'm glad to be back training after a few weeks rest. The break was getting a bit boring as I was seeing the missus every day and watching the little one playing up.

"I'm determined to do well this season, but I'm going to keep my head down because there were a few distractions last season – people know what they were – but at the end of the day I'm happy here and I'm now keen to work hard.

"People know that I finished last season as Chester's leading goalscorer, and by my own standards I know I didn't have the best of seasons. I was very inconsistent. I would play one decent game and then I was below average in the next three or four games."

Reflecting on the team's and his missed chances which contributed to City's struggling finish to the last campaign, Ellison added: "We had chances and we were flying up until Christmas, then, for whatever reason, we hit a brick wall.

"But hopefully we're going to have an exciting season this time round.

"I know there has been a bit of a curse at Chester because the club always do well up until the end of the year and then hit the slippery slope, but hopefully Simon Davies can sort that out."

Ellison seemed pleased to see that Chester had made a number of new signings during the last month.

He said: "I came in for training last week and met Anthony Barry. I'd heard good things about him and I knew he was a very good player having played for Yeovil last season – which is obviously a good sign.

"Then we've got Jay Harris, and David Mannix who both played regularly for Accrington Stanley in central midfield last season, so I don't think Mark Hughes will be happy that there are four central midfielders now competing for two places.

"And Paul Taylor has now joined us after scoring goals in non-league football last season. It's obviously a big step up to the league but the lad has been welcomed and we'll see what he can do."

- Chester City Youth will kick off their campaign with a derby match.
The Blues will start their season in the Puma Youth Alliance League at cross-border rivals Wrexham, on Saturday, August 16.