Change is in the air and some good news on the injury front as Chesterfield gear up to face Colchester United
‘Everyone believes they've got a chance to play in the team’
Chesterfield have received some positive injury news ahead of tonight’s match against Colchester United.
The hamstring issue that forced Joel Randall off in the first half of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Port Vale isn’t as bad as first feared.
It means the influential Bolton Wanderers loan man could be back in contention as early as next week.
Assistant manager Danny Webb described the problem as a “very, very minor hamstring strain” that should mean an absence of no longer than a week to ten days.
Randall’s absence means Chesterfield will make at least one change after fielding the same starting 11 for the last four league matches.
A seething Paul Cook promised changes for the visit of Colchester because he wasn’t happy with the way the team gifted Vale three points.
Randall’s replacement on Saturday, Josh Koroma, will be pushing for a recall along with Liam Mandeville. Left-sided Dylan Duffy and Danny Anisjko are also keen to get more involved.
The defence is also under scrutiny given the lack of shut-outs this season and the concession of soft goals in recent matches.
“Yesterday’s training was very upbeat,” Webb told Spireites TV. “Everyone believes they've got a chance to play in the team. That's what happens when you have a disappointing result.
“Even the lads that didn't travel to Port Vale are never made to feel by the manager or staff that they're out of the picture. They might feel like they're out of the picture and I get that completely, but they're not.
“In the past you've seen the manager will throw people in when those players sometimes will least expect it.”
Danny Cowley’s Colchester arrive ravaged by injuries and without a win since the end of August. They are 20th in League Two and played out a goalless draw with Exeter City at the weekend.
The U’s manager said: “We’re in a three-game week in a spell of one home game in five and have a lot of injuries, so it couldn’t be tougher for us. We quite like it like that. We like being in adversity.
“We find the best of ourselves when we’re in these moments.”
Despite the Spireites’ recent miss-steps, a win could lift them as high as fourth if they can deal with what is expected to be a defence-minded Colchester side.
Added Webb: “They came up here a couple of years ago when they had a load of injuries and they were in bad run of form. They left with a point and they defended resolutely.
“They put out a low block, which was so hard to break down, especially when it's set up by Danny Cowley, who really knows how to set up a team, especially defensively. So, yeah, it'll be tough.
“We've got to accept that. The lads have got to rise to it and I’m sure they will.”
Kick-off is 7.45pm.