Chesterfield dealt huge injury blow on talented midfielder Jack Clarke

The midfielder is thought to have ruptured his hamstring, an injury he has only just returned from.

He suffered the injury late on in the draw against Halifax, a match in which he came off the bench to score the equaliser.

The 22-year-old could need an operation. The club will find out later today.

The injury kept him out for three months earlier this season.

“It is a serious one,” manager James Rowe said.

"It is a real shame for the lad because he has done everything asked of him, he has done all of his rehab that we have asked of him.

"He is a top player so the temptation is always to start him but we have been patient.

"He scored the goal – such a high for him in front of his family – then 10 minutes later he had that big low."

Rowe added: "It is going to be a big ask of us to pick him back up but I am confident that he is mentally strong.

"He might need an operation.

"We will try to get him back at the back end of the season so it is a big loss for us to lose a player like that for the season.”

On whether they may look to find a replacement for him in the transfer market, Rowe said: “We may need to.

"We have got a few players coming back from long-term injuries so we need to see how they react.”