Hird still in contention insists Caldwell, despite contract clause rumours

The centre-half is said to be a couple of games away from triggering a clause in his contract which would hand him a new deal at the Proact.

Those rumours were further fuelled by Hird’s absence from the starting line-up on Saturday against Northampton.

But while Caldwell would not discuss the terms of the defender’s contract, he insisted he could continue to pick Hird.

Addressing the 29-year-old’s place on the bench at the weekend, Caldwell said: “Firstly his contract is confidential, any information on that will remain confidential.

“Secondly I pick the team that I believe is good enough to win the game based on training, recent games, injury situations.

“I picked the team on Saturday 100 per cent to go and win the game on the best players that were available.”

And the manager moved to reassure fans, concerned that one of their most experienced players would be ruled out of action due to off-field matters.

“Whatever got out is only a rumour,” he said.

“Sam is in contention to play.

“He did have a calf injury but if he’s training well and playing well then he will be in the team without a doubt.

“He has great experience and is still a valuable part of the squad, even though he didn’t play on Saturday.”

Caldwell firmly denied that the powers that be at the Proact had any involvement in the decision to keep Hird out of the starting line-up at Sixfields.

“That will never happen while I’m manager at this club,” he said.

Hird has made 23 appearances this season for the Spireites, taking him to 181 games since arriving at the club from Doncaster Rovers.