Rush denies 'pay-off' reports

Ian Rush has slammed allegations that he is demanding a massive pay-off to leave Chester and insisted he will be in charge for tomorrow’s Coca-Cola League Two clash with Southend.

Civil war has erupted between Rush and club owner Stephen Vaughan, who has been dismayed by the club’s recent poor form.

City have won just two of their last 10 league games and plummeted to fourth bottom of the table.

Vaughan has claimed he offered Rush, and assistant Mark Aizlewood, a deal to quit the Deva Stadium, only for the legendary Welsh striker to snub the pay-off.

However, Rush’s advisers have insisted no meaningful offer has been made, with the manager himself left to hit out at the reports he thinks constitute a major attack on his integrity.

“I don’t know if the quotes are accurate or whether they have been mis-reported, but what I have read has been highly inaccurate,” said Rush.

“It appears someone is trying to make me out to be holding up the club to ransom in some way. Until I am told otherwise, I remain the manager of Chester City and am preparing the team for the game tomorrow against Southend.”

Rush, who initially enjoyed some success when he replaced Mark Wright in August at a time when the club were in the relegation zone, still has two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract.

While it now appears his early departure is inevitable, Rush’s solicitor Dean Sheehan insists no formal offer has been made.

“There has been no formal or valid offer made by the club which would be capable of acceptance or rejection in any way.”