Chesterfield realistic about chances of bringing back successful loan men

Braybrooke, Swinkels and Curtis checked in from Leicester, Aston Villa and Sheffield United respectively in January and helped the Spireites claim a League Two play-offs slot for the second year on the spin.

Had Chesterfield won promotion then they would have been able to state a better case to their parent clubs for a second stint.

As it was, all three proved they are capable of playing regularly at a higher level.

"Would we have the loan players back? That’s a no-brainer,” assistant manager Danny Webb told the Derbyshire Times.

"Certainly, Curtis, Swinkels and Braybrook, because they came later, were a big part of our kick-on to get into the play-offs.

"All three have really promising futures, as has James Berry, who came a lot earlier (from Wycombe Wanderers), but those three in particular because they are young and play for bigger clubs.

"Sometimes with lads from Championship and Premier League clubs, it’s a disappointment for all when they don’t develop like they should but I believe these lads certainly did and they helped us."

Braybrook’s form earned him a place in the League Two Team of the Season while Swinkels and Curtis both became ever-presents in the back line.

"Sammy Braybrooke will probably go on to play for Leicester in League One this year,” said Webb. “Sam Curtis has had a few loans so it’s not my place to say whether he would be in and out of Chris Wilder’s plans.

Swinkels will potentially be looking for a loan up to the next level now. If we had gone up then we might have been able to keep him on, as with Sammy.

"I think we are highly unlikely to get any of them but we can all live in hope.”

As Chesterfield set about shaping a squad for a fresh crack at League Two next season, loanees will continue to be an option, and the club’s successes in that particular market should help when trying to bring in talent from higher up.

Added Webb: “Obviously we are disappointed on so many levels that we didn’t get promoted but with a club like Chesterfield if you look at the amount of lads we’ve had on loan from bigger clubs over the last few years, I believe the vast majority have gone on to improve and we’ve helped their careers.

"This summer we might want to sign a couple of lads, whether it’s on loan or permanent. Clubs have only to look at the development of Sammy Braybrooke or Swinks to see it’s quite a good move for all, and we haven’t got to do much of a sell because the stats don’t lie. If you’re good enough we improve you and you go back to your club a better player."