The Chester City boss is hoping to see the club's leading marksman playing a key role for the Blues at promotion-chasing Hereford United, (3pm kick-off).

Ellison, who was being linked with Wrexham and Darlington before last week's loan transfer deadline, has been sidelined with a foot injury.

But Davies remains hopeful that Ellison can continue his progress and return to league action in a bid to help secure Chester's safety.

He said: "I'm hoping that Kevin Ellison will be in the mix for selection against Hereford because he's returned to training.

"But midfielder Tony Grant and striker Chris Holroyd are both still nursing injuries, and defender James Vaughan is having treatment on a hamstring injury.

Davies provided his thoughts about tomorrow's contest and reflected on City's last meeting with Hereford in October which resulted in a tense and entertaining 1-1 stalemate.

He said: "Hereford will provide another tough game after our matches against Darlington, Peterborough, and Stockport, but I think we've given a good account of ourselves in the last three games.

"We're quite confident going into the Hereford game. They've got a lot of loan signings which seems to be working well for them at the moment.

"We take the positives out of the fact that we have the same set of players that we had when we could have gone top of the league in October.

"Different things have contributed to our downfall during the last four months, but there is enough in our changing room to put a good display on against Hereford tomorrow and we'll go there feeling positive."

Davies believes Hereford boss Graham Turner has achieved a lot of progress during his time at the club.

He said: "Fair play to Hereford for putting themselves in contention for promotion because they are a team that try and play football in the right way which is a credit to them.

"Their style suits myself. I like to try and play football and it's always nice if you can play the right way and win games.

"I've been quite impressed with Hereford and the way they've gone about their business so far this season.

"I'd take Graham Turner's position any day of the week at the moment! If we could be fighting for promotion right now I'd take that.

"I was aware that Graham Turner was at our match against Stockport on Saturday, but I don't think he would have seen how well we could play because of the waterlogged pitch.

"He wouldn't have seen how lively Paul Rutherford and Richie Partridge could be when they run at people with the ball at their feet because the puddles on the pitch affected their game."

Chester are currently sitting in 20th league position, just six points above the relegation places occupied by Mansfield Town and Wrexham.

Davies said: "We've got six games to go and we've got to get the points to ensure ourselves of league football for next season, then everyone can regroup.

"We've struggled to get our experienced players healthy and fit all at the same time and that has been part of the reason why we have suffered in the second half of the season.

"When our experienced players can't string a run of games together it does effect results. I don't think it's the right time to play our young players, but over the next 18 months they'll be coming through quite steadily.

"But for now we need to get through our last six games, getting the points we need, and then we can move on to next season."