Chesterfield v Colchester preview

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Chesterfield captain Ian Evatt is a slight doubt ahead of the visit of relegation-threatened Colchester.

Evatt was forced off during the first half against Barnsley on Saturday because of a rib injury and Blues boss Paul Cook will make a late decision on whether he can play on Tuesday night. If Evatt is not fit, Charlie Raglan will play alongside Sam Hird in central defence.

The Spireites were unchanged at Oakwell and, Evatt aside, any other changes will be kept to a minimum as Cook’s charges close in on a play-off place.

Competition for places in the Chesterfield squad is so strong that full-back Dan Jones and striker Emmanuel Dieseruvwe have been overlooked recently, so both players will hope to be involved again soon.

Sam Walker faces a fitness test ahead of the trip to Chesterfield.

The goalkeeper was forced to play on at the weekend despite suffering a knock to the knee after landing awkwardly in the 1-0 defeat to Coventry.

Captain David Fox is still facing uncertainty over his involvement this season after a foot injury kept him out of the previous three games.

Matthew Briggs returned to the bench from a two-game suspension and is pushing for a recall, possibly at the expense of Alex Wynter.

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Chesterfield v Colchester preview

admin

Chesterfield captain Ian Evatt is a slight doubt ahead of the visit of relegation-threatened Colchester.

Evatt was forced off during the first half against Barnsley on Saturday because of a rib injury and Blues boss Paul Cook will make a late decision on whether he can play on Tuesday night. If Evatt is not fit, Charlie Raglan will play alongside Sam Hird in central defence.

The Spireites were unchanged at Oakwell and, Evatt aside, any other changes will be kept to a minimum as Cook’s charges close in on a play-off place.

Competition for places in the Chesterfield squad is so strong that full-back Dan Jones and striker Emmanuel Dieseruvwe have been overlooked recently, so both players will hope to be involved again soon.

Sam Walker faces a fitness test ahead of the trip to Chesterfield.

The goalkeeper was forced to play on at the weekend despite suffering a knock to the knee after landing awkwardly in the 1-0 defeat to Coventry.

Captain David Fox is still facing uncertainty over his involvement this season after a foot injury kept him out of the previous three games.

Matthew Briggs returned to the bench from a two-game suspension and is pushing for a recall, possibly at the expense of Alex Wynter.

Breaking news, transfer gossip, line ups and goal alerts from your football club – delivered direct to your mobile. Sign up for Sky Sports Alerts

Chesterfield v Colchester preview

admin

Chesterfield will check on Jonathan Grounds.

The defender, who extended his loan spell from Middlesbrough this week, is nursing an ankle injury so Dean Holden is on stand-by.

Dean Morgan will be hoping he gets the nod to start for the first time since August 16. The left-sided forward, whose professional career began at Colchester 11 years ago, has been out since the start of the month with a groin problem but impressed during a short substitute appearance in the defeat at Charlton last weekend.

Should Morgan be selected, on-loan midfielder Lee Johnson could be dropped. Danny Whitaker may also move from the left into the centre of midfield.

Nathan Smith will play his final game before linking up with the Jamaica squad. The left-back will then miss the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie at Notts County and the league trip to local rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

Colchester will make a late decision on Steven Gillespie.

The striker was unavailable for last weekend’s 1-0 win over Walsall with a hamstring injury but has progressed well with his recovery this week and will hope to be involved in John Ward’s matchday 16.

Goalkeeper Mark Cousins continues to miss out having sustained a shoulder injury in training last Friday morning, meaning Ben Williams will make his second start of the season after stepping in against the Saddlers.

Midfielder John-Joe O’Toole serves the final match of his three-game suspension.

Winger Ashley Vincent returned to full training this week after just over six weeks on the sidelines with damaged knee ligaments, but the game comes too soon for him as he continues to build up his match fitness.

Last weekend’s victory over Walsall ended a run of five games without a win for the U’s, who last came up against Saturday’s opponents Chesterfield in April 2006.

Chesterfield v Colchester preview

admin

Chesterfield will check on Jonathan Grounds.

The defender, who extended his loan spell from Middlesbrough this week, is nursing an ankle injury so Dean Holden is on stand-by.

Dean Morgan will be hoping he gets the nod to start for the first time since August 16. The left-sided forward, whose professional career began at Colchester 11 years ago, has been out since the start of the month with a groin problem but impressed during a short substitute appearance in the defeat at Charlton last weekend.

Should Morgan be selected, on-loan midfielder Lee Johnson could be dropped. Danny Whitaker may also move from the left into the centre of midfield.

Nathan Smith will play his final game before linking up with the Jamaica squad. The left-back will then miss the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie at Notts County and the league trip to local rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

Colchester will make a late decision on Steven Gillespie.

The striker was unavailable for last weekend’s 1-0 win over Walsall with a hamstring injury but has progressed well with his recovery this week and will hope to be involved in John Ward’s matchday 16.

Goalkeeper Mark Cousins continues to miss out having sustained a shoulder injury in training last Friday morning, meaning Ben Williams will make his second start of the season after stepping in against the Saddlers.

Midfielder John-Joe O’Toole serves the final match of his three-game suspension.

Winger Ashley Vincent returned to full training this week after just over six weeks on the sidelines with damaged knee ligaments, but the game comes too soon for him as he continues to build up his match fitness.

Last weekend’s victory over Walsall ended a run of five games without a win for the U’s, who last came up against Saturday’s opponents Chesterfield in April 2006.