Chesterfield v Morecambe preview

admin

Mason Bennett will make his full debut for Chesterfield when Morecambe visit the Proact Stadium.

Bennett has made three substitute appearances for the Spireites since arriving on loan from Derby but the teenage striker will start against the Shrimps.

Forward Dan Gardner (ankle) and right-back Drew Talbot (stomach) were expected to resume full training on Monday but neither player is likely to be involved on Tuesday night, with the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final at Wembley at the weekend a more realistic target for a return to the squad.

Chesterfield winger Jamie Devitt is on loan at Morecambe and unable to feature against his parent club.

Morecambe boss Jim Bentley will not have any of his injured players back in time for the trip to high-flying Chesterfield.

The Shrimps currently have midfielder Stewart Drummond, full-back Shaun Beeley and fellow defender Andy Parrish occupying the sidelines.

Drummond may not play again this season after fracturing his toe, Parrish is a couple of weeks away after tearing a ligament in his knee and Beeley, although back in light training following a hamstring problem, has a similar timescale on his return.

Bentley shuffled his pack for the 1-1 draw against Northampton – the changes motivated by the 5-1 thrashing at Accrington – and the likes of Jack Redshaw, Ryan Williams and Chris McCready will be hoping for recalls.

Chesterfield v Morecambe preview

admin

Chesterfield striker Marc Richards could return from a hamstring problem in time to face the Shrimps.

Richards missed the Boxing Day win over York but could be back in contention to play some part against the Shrimpers.

However makeshift strikeforce Luis Boa Morte and Jay O’Shea showed enough against the Minstermen to suggest Richards may have to settle for a place on the bench.

The Spireites are searching for a first-ever home win against Jim Bentley’s side and assistant manager Tommy Wright admits they have been a difficult opponent for them in recent years.

“Morecambe have been a bit of a bogey side. They’re all difficult games, they’ll come here having had some good results on the road, so we’ll have to be careful,” he told the Star.

Morecambe boss Jim Bentley is expected to shuffle his pack.

Their Boxing Day defeat at Fleetwood means the Shrimpers have won one of their last six games as they linger in mid-table.

Strike duo Jack Redshaw and Lewis Alessandra both came off the bench in that fixture and could be handed a starting place.

Bentley’s side have managed just two goals in their last four outings and he may opt to rotate his attacking options.

Richard Brodie is most likely to drop out with fit-again Kevin Ellison still trying to regain his form after a recent return.

Midfielder Joe McGee is also pushing for inclusion against the Spireites having been on the fringes in recent weeks.

Chesterfield v Morecambe preview

admin

Chesterfield manager John Sheridan could name the same starting line-up.

Sheridan has no new injury or suspension problems as the Spireites return to the b2net Stadium following four away matches.

Central defender Simon Ford could be available after missing the midweek win at Bradford due to a knock, with midfielder Danny Whitaker set to continue at the heart of defence if he fails to make it.

Midfield pair Dwayne Mattis (calf) and Mark Allott (ankle) have both stepped up their rehabilitation but are not ready to return.

Long-term absentee Dean Morgan has also returned to training after sustaining a foot injury on New Year’s Day.

Sheridan’s side have lost only one of their last 15 league games and are nine points clear at the top of the table.

Morecambe boss Sammy McIlroy could wield the axe.

The Shrimps were soundly beaten 2-0 at Macclesfield on Tuesday and have now gone nine matches without a win.

After seeing his side thumped 3-0 at home by Oxford last weekend, McIlroy made two changes to the starting line-up for the trip to Moss Rose in midweek.

Chris McCready and Scott Brown came into the side at the expense of Kieran Charnock and Jimmy Spencer, while winger Chris Shuker has missed the last four games with a hamstring injury.

McIlroy will now consider his options as he bids to engineer an upturn in fortunes, but he admitted: “We’ve got a battle to stay in League Two.”