Chesterfield take cautious approach with injured players with one eye on play-offs

Town moved up a place to fourth in the table after a strong 2-1 away win at Southend United on Tuesday night. It means they trail third-placed Woking by four points but Paul Cook’s men have a game in hand.

Armando Dobra has missed the last four matches with a hamstring injury but he did travel with the squad to Roots Hall and took part in some fitness work before kick-off. However, Saturday’s game at home to struggling Yeovil Town may come too soon for him.

Asked by the DT if he is edging closer, coach Danny Webb said: “He is. We want him back sooner rather than later because he is such a big player for us. But what you can’t have is if he does come back sooner and tears his hamstring then you have not got him for the play-offs if we are involved. It will be sooner rather than later. Hopefully step up in training next week. I think Yeovil will be a game too early.”

The same approach will also be taken with Akwasi Asante, who has been absent since the end of January, missing the last 10 matches, with a groin injury which has required an injection.

Webb said: “Akwasi will be another couple of weeks. He is another one where if we don’t rush him now then he could be an extra choice to have, fingers crossed, if we get in the play-offs.”

Andrew Dallas came off the bench to make his debut against the Shrimpers. With 14 goals for Solihull Moors this season, he will bring an extra threat to the Blues’ attack.

On what his best position is, Webb said: “He says that he does not really pigeon hole himself. I think if he is going to play wide then it will be as a wide forward as opposed to a winger in a 4-4-2 who tracks back. Someone like that we will want him near the goal. I think anywhere across those attacking positions. So if the manager’s preferred formation is 4-2-3-1 then any of the front four.”

Dallas’ arrival, along with Paul McCallum, suddenly means that Chesterfield have some really strong forward options.

Webb added: “Quigs (Joe Quigley) has done well all season, Macca (Paul McCallum) has come in and shown why he is such a good target man. Even if he does not score he wins every header, he gets fouls, he holds the ball up, he always looks like he is going to score and he is that focal point if we are in trouble at the back we can get it up to him and the whole team can get up. And he’s got a great scoring record. We had no Danny Rowe on the bench tonight, another one with a great scoring record. And we have brought Dallas in so all over now there is competition for places and we are back to having four or five lads not even involved tonight because we could not get them on the bench.”