HAYES & Yeading United's survival hopes have been given a major boost after league bosses confirmed only three teams face the drop if Chester are given the boot.
City have been told they face expulsion from the Blue Square Premier if they fail to pay money they owe Wrexham and Vauxhall Motors.
Their chairman Ian Anderson has given assurances the dispute will be resolved next Monday but league bosses have already made contingency plans.
A source said: "We can confirm only three teams will be relegated if Chester are expelled from the division."
The news will be a boost to the likes of Hayes striker Scott Fitzgerald, who admitted to the Gazette earlier in the season his team would be battling it out at the wrong end of the table.
The former Brentford striker has netted three times in as many games, and boss Garry Haylock wants the 29-year-old to continue his purple patch.
"He is a player that I chased for two-and-a-half years to get," said the United manager.
"Things haven't gone perfectly for him but he works hard and knows how much we value him here."
Hayes will aim to maintain their recent impressive Blue Square Premier form when they travel to face in-form Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday.
Haylock should have a fully fit squad to choose from for the trip to North Wales and is hoping they can carry on where they left off in the league.
They have won their last two games, 2-0 at Tamworth and 3-0 at home to Cambridge United.
Their FA Cup fourth qualifying round defeat to Staines Town, however, has left United kicking their heels in frustration for a fortnight but has allowed ample time for injured players to recover and for Haylock to work on things with his squad. [25cf] THERE are still plenty of seats available for the Hayes & Yeading United's Supporters' Club's coach to Wrexham this Saturday.
The coach departs Church Road at 9.30am, with the price £22 for adults and £20 for concessions.
Anyone wishing to book a place can email hyufcsc@fsmail.net
