Change of goalkeeper guaranteed in EFL Trophy for Chesterfield
Ryan Boot ready to step in for home test against Port Vale
Senior keeper Ryan Boot could be in goal for Chesterfield against Port Vale in the EFL Trophy tonight.
With young James Sissons away on international duty with Malta, Boot will start unless the club’s other senior stopper, Zach Hemming, is tested after a wrist injury.
The rest of the team will be similar to the line-up which outscored Manchester City U21s 5-3 in the Group D opener last week, which was made up of players needing game time along with Sissons.
Tonight will be Port Vale’s first game in this year’s competition after an unexpectedly slow start in League Two which has left them second bottom.
As usual, three points are awarded for a win in the Group stages, with one point each awarded if a game finishes level after 90 minutes. A penalty shoot-out then determines who claims a second bonus point.
The top two sides in each group progress to the Round of 32, with group winners seeded and guaranteed home advantage against a group runner-up in the first knockout round.
From there, the competition becomes a straight knockout with regionalised draws separating the northern and southern sections through to the semis.
Chesterfield’s remaining game in the Group is away to Mansfield Town on Tuesday, November 10.
Kick-off tonight is 7pm.