Chesterfield v Fleetwood preview

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Captain Ian Evatt should return to the Chesterfield squad for the visit of fellow play-off hopefuls Fleetwood.

Evatt has missed the last two matches with concussion but it remains to be seen whether he will slot straight back in at centre-half as, despite the Spireites losing 1-0 to Rochdale last weekend, Sam Hird and inexperienced Wolves loanee Ashley Carter barely put a foot wrong at Spotland.

A lack of goals is Chesterfield’s main concern after three blanks in the last four games. Blues boss Paul Cook must decide between keeping a settled side and sticking with the likes of Armand Gnanduillet and Gboly Ariyibi, or re-introduce Byron Harrison or Caolan Lavery to boost his lacklustre attack.

Jay O’Shea and on-loan Birmingham winger Mark Duffy are also options for Cook against the team who Chesterfield defeated 2-1 at the Proact Stadium on the final day of last season to lift the League Two title. Forward Dan Gardner is the Spireites’ only injury absentee.

Fleetwood are without full-back Stephen Crainey following his dismissal against Notts County.

The defender will serve a two-game suspension as a result of having been sent off twice this season, with his other red card coming against Peterborough in September.

Boss Graham Alexander must consider what to do with his vacant full-back berth as Danny Andrew (knee) is also missing, so the ex-Preston defender could be forced into a reshuffle possibly involving Nathan Pond, Stewart Murdoch or Stephen Jordan.

Only Jamille Matt, out for the season with a long-term leg injury, misses out otherwise.

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Chesterfield v Fleetwood preview

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Chesterfield will be without Liam Cooper when they go for the League Two title against Fleetwood.

Cooper is nursing a badly swollen ankle following the 2-0 victory over Burton last weekend – a result that saw the Spireites clinch automatic promotion and return to the top of the table ahead of the final game of the season.

Midfielder Daniel Kearns also came off injured at the Pirelli Stadium and the on-loan Peterborough midfielder will be assessed ahead of Saturday.

Victory will see Chesterfield crowned champions in front of their own fans at the Proact Stadium.

Graham Alexander has hinted he could make changes for Fleetwood’s trip to already-promoted Chesterfield.

The Spireites’ win over Burton last Sunday means the Cod Army will have to settle for a spot in the play-offs, and they will finish fourth, regardless of how they fare at the Proact Stadium.

Alexander wants his men to maintain momentum heading into the play-offs and continue a seven-match unbeaten run, but he was realistic enough to acknowledge he will hold players back if they have any minor concerns or need a rest.

Midfielder Jeff Hughes (broken leg) is definitely out but Adam Barton might make the first appearance of his loan spell, defender Ryan Cresswell could play against the team he almost joined last summer and striker Jon Parkin may come into the starting line-up.

Chesterfield v Fleetwood preview

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Striker Marc Richards is closing in on a return to Chesterfield’s squad after spending over a month on the sidelines.

Richards has been an absentee since suffering an ankle injury in the 4-3 home win over Accrington on September 18, and having travelled to Exeter with the first-team squad on Saturday, is now ready to make his comeback.

Goalkeeper Tommy Lee will also be in contention after making a full recovery from shoulder ligament damage.

Craig Clay was given his first league start in two years in the 1-0 victory at St James’ Park and is set to keep his place in Tommy Wright’s side along with former youth-team colleague Tendayi Darikwa.

Jack Lester and Neal Trotman were made to settle for a place on the bench along with midfielder Danny Whitaker on his return from a groin injury.

Mark Allott remains sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Fleetwood expect to welcome back captain Steve McNulty.

Centre-back McNulty missed the Cod Army’s back-to-back home games against Wycombe and AFC Wimbledon over the last two weekends with a calf injury but is fit to return.

Experienced midfielder Damien Johnson is doubtful with a hamstring injury while Shaun Beeley faces a late fitness test on the thigh problem that ruled him out of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with the Dons.

Dean Howell is set to continue at left-back having completed 90 minutes on his comeback from an ankle problem.

Andy Mangan (knee) remains sidelined and the participation of fellow striker Jon Parkin is in doubt after he missed out on Saturday due to family reasons.