Wilson will keep Southend boss Brown guessing at Spireites line-up

It’s not because the Spireites boss is playing mind games with his opposite number Phil Brown, it’s because a number of players still need time to prove their fitness.

Wilson wants to take as big a squad as possible to the seaside, including Dion Donohue who has been struggling with a knee issue and Liam O’Neil, the long-term injury victim who made his comeback in the reserves on Tuesday.

Liam Graham will also join up with the Town squad once more having returned from international duty with New Zealand.

Wilson said: “I’m going to give them every opportunity, the lads who are injured will travel to Southend and we’ll take a view very late in the day.

“We need as many people in contention as we can to give us as strong a squad as possible.

“It’s all hands on deck. I’ll be able to tell you about 2pm on the day who will play.”

Wilson says O’Neil came through his 45 minute appearance for the reserves unscathed in midweek but admits it’s a ‘coin toss’ when it comes to the former West Brom man’s ability to step back into League One action.

The Spireites boss is happy with the condition the 23-year-old is in despite a seven-month absence through a foot and ankle injury.

“Liam came through okay. He was very tired because he’s not played for seven months, but he looks very fit.

“Mal Purchase (fitness coach) has been fantastic with him, that won’t be an issue, it’s just whether or not he can go through a league game at this stage.”

Chesterfield are yet to win away from home this season, but Wilson isn’t downbeat: “Away from home we’ve had our chances, we haven’t defended like we know we can at times and that’s possibly been the difference.

“We know that if we play well we’ve got an opportunity.”