Chesterfield striker Tom Denton out for 'longer period' than expected after having knee operation

The 31-year-old, who is Town’s top scorer with nine goals, was initially expected to be out for around 10 weeks.

Spireites manager, James Rowe, said: “Tom has had his operation now, it was successful but it is going to be a longer period out than we thought which is disappointing for Tom and for us because he has had such a big impact for us.”

When asked by the DT if Denton will return this season, Rowe added: “I am hoping so. There is going to be a delay further than the 10 weeks anticipated but only time will tell on that.

“We are going to have have regular contact with him about how he is, his mental state and we are doing everything we can as a medical department and as staff and a playing group to make sure he is in good spirits.

“Injuries are part and parcel of the game and that is a test sometimes. Can you roll your sleeves up? Can you recover right? Can you come back stronger? And I am sure Tom will.”

Meanwhile, Nathan Tyson, who has been out injured with a hamstring problem since November, has suffered a setback.

Rowe explained: “He has had a neural setback so it is not necessarily the hamstring. I can’t really give you a time on that at the moment. I know I said the end of January but the setback he has meant he is slightly behind but he is working as hard as he can and hopefully he will be back in the fold as soon as possible.”

But there is some positive injury news in that Joe Rowley, who suffered a hamstring injury against Boreham Wood last month, is ahead of schedule.

“He has started jogging again lightly,” Rowe added.

“He is in a good place and actually the six weeks that I initially outlayed, he might be coming back before that so I am really pleased with his progress at the moment from what I am hearing from the medical team.”