Donohue thrilled to have signed new Spireites deal

Donohue, who turns 23 this month, joined Chesterfield last summer after a trial period and made 20 appearances in 2015/16 before also starting the first two Spirietes games of this campaign against Oxford United and Rochdale

And having signed a new two-year-deal, the Welshman is now looking to continue his development.

He said: “They told me towards the end of last season that I’d get a new contract so I’m pleased to have got it over the line.

“It took me until Christmas to break into the squad and I was really happy to get 20-odd appearances.

“Coming from non-league I was at least playing in a men’s league so learned to look after myself. Coming to Chesterfield the tempo is much quicker so I had to adapt to that and overall it was a bit of a culture shock.

“I just want to play as much as possible and do as much for the team as I can. I hope we can improve our home form this year because we didn’t really give the fans much here, but otherwise I just want to help the team as much as I can.”

Donohue’s main position is in central midfield but he has been frequently deployed as a left-back by Danny Wilson, a position he’s had to adapt to but is happy to fulfil.

He said: “My best position is central midfield but quite often having a good left foot means you get utilised on the left flank so I had to adapt to playing at full-back.

“There are a different set of skills. You have to learn to defend one-on-one with wingers which you don’t tend to get in midfield and unfortunately I’m not the quickest, so I had to learn a lot about that and when Chris Morgan came here he helped a lot.

“You never stop learning but as long as I adapt myself and keep wanting to learn I’ll be happy to do a job there for the team.”

Manager Wilson said of Donohue: “He’s deserved his new contract. He came in at the back end of last season and progressed very well and found his feet quickly.

“He was initially a midfield player but we felt he’d operate better at left-back and he’ll develop more and more as he goes on. He’s one we can work with and improve all the time.

“You have to look at what’s at the club. He has to consider whether he can get in front of the likes of Gary Liddle, Connor Dimaio or Jon Nolan at this stage and if the answer is no, where else can he play, and with Dan Jones being out we’ve been able to use Dion there and he’s not been uncomfortable at all.

“In the Bury game at the end of last season in particular he was outstanding in all areas and helped us to what was a massive win.”

Donohue is likely to play a part as Chesterfield host Swindon on Saturday, and believes a good season could be in store, adding: “I like to think we can challenge for a top six finish given the players we’ve got here and the chances I know we can create, especially with players like Ched Evans in the team.”

For Danny Wilson’s thoughts on the Swindon game, click HERE