Chesterfield defender will 'get his chance soon' but 'absolutely immense' Aston Villa man is in his way

The centre-back agreed to join last year from Canadian Premier League side Forge FC and the move was completed when his contract expired in January. The 23-year-old was awaiting international clearance but that was said to have been approved.

The defender, who underwent a mini pre-season to get himself up to speed for his new club, did pick up a small quad injury but he overcame that and he has been pictured in training.

Owolabi-Belewu, who is a left-sided centre-half, has found himself behind the impressive Sil Swinkels, a January transfer window signing, on loan from Aston Villa. And Town have opted to go with right-sided defenders on the bench in recent weeks, with Chey Dunkley not long being back from injury.

Danny Webb said: "I am sure supporters want to see him, and he wants to be part of a matchday squad, he has travelled with our recent overnight away games to be part of the squad. Obviously when he came in he probably would have been involved a lot quicker had he not got injured. Sil has come in and he has been absolutely immense. We are strong in that area but I think sooner or later he will get a chance to show what he can do.”

Owolabi-Belewu impressed the coaching staff with his knowledge of Chesterfield’s style of play and his team-mates, with the defender having watched all of the Spireites’ games while he was in Canada.

On his switch to Chesterfield, he previously said: “It is something that we tried to make happen last January but unfortunately it didn’t happen but I am over the moon to be here now. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans and try to make something special happen at the end of the season.

“I would say I am an aggressive defender. I like to get stuck in. But I also like to play on the ball as well. I take pride in driving with the ball and to try to make things happen so hopefully I can translate that here.”