Chesterfield forward ahead of schedule in fitness fight
Attacker edges nearer to a return and club monitors fitness of centre-half
Injury absentee Ruel Sotiriou is not far off a return to Chesterfield’s ranks.
The Cypriot forward hasn’t played since the first two games of the season against Fleetwood Town due to a calf problem.
He started both the Carabao Cup tie and the League Two fixture, both of which ended in 1-0 defeats, but he could soon be ready to get his career moving again after joining the club in the summer on a permanent deal.
"He is progressing really well,” assistant manager Danny Webb told the Derbyshire Times. “He was expecting to be out for seven to eight weeks and I think he is a couple of weeks ahead of schedule.
"He is back running this week but we won’t see him in a shirt for at least a fortnight.”
The ranks have been boosted by the recruitment of attack-minded loanees Louie Marsh, Joel Randall and Kiano Dyer since Sotiriou fell injured.
The 26-year-old is a previous League Two winner with Leyton Orient and his most recent EFL experience was with Bristol Rovers.
At the back there is a fresh injury concern over centre-back Alfie Pond.
He pulled up in the first half of the EFL Trophy tie against Port Vale with a knee problem. He continued on but retired at half time.
"His knee has swollen. He cleared a ball early on and it clicked and locked,” explained Webb.
"I have done my knees before and I find Wednesday morning is a crucial one. If you get out of bed and it’s like a balloon then fluid has got in there and it’s not good. He’s got a scan so time will tell.”