Chesterfield still see Luke Butterfield’s long-term future at the club despite him being sent out on loan.

The 22-year-old, who signed a two-year deal at the Spireites after impressing on trial last summer following his exit from Everton, has joined Accrington Stanley on loan for the rest of the season.

The central midfielder impressed enough in pre-season to earn himself a contract and showed some promising glimpses of what he can do before suffering a broken foot against Mansfield Town in the Carabao Cup back in August.

Butterfield has made the odd appearance off the bench since recovering from injury but with Sammy Braybrooke, Ryan Stirk, Tom Naylor and John Fleck in his position it was felt that it would be best for him to go out on loan to get some minutes.

"I think it is really important for Luke to play football,” Gary Roberts said. “He is desperate to play first-team football. At the minute, we could just not get him minutes here with the four lads in the middle of the pitch.

"He will get minutes at Accrington and he will learn a lot from them. If he can get a good chunk of games under his belt then he comes back to us a much better player. He needs to take that next step and it will do him the world of good.

"That injury stopped him in his tracks because he had a positive pre-season and he was right in there for selection. It was a no-brainer for us and Luke for him to go to Accrington. The kid is itching to play.

"In the bigger picture, he is going to be a part of what we do. He has got a lot of potential. He is a good age and he is only going to get better. Accrington is a smashing club, I know it inside out. He will help Accrington. He will have to learn how to be without the ball at times and he is going to have to dig, scrap and fight away from home. He is going to learn a few different things, Accrington play a different style to us so he will be picking things up which is all part of his journey but his journey continues with us, he is not going to Accrington to be put out the way.”

Butterfield was an unused substitute for Accrington in their 0-0 draw away at promotion-chasing Walsall last Saturday.

Manager John Doolan said: "He has been unfortunate as, when his career was just about to take off at Chesterfield, he got an injury. He is injury-free now, Cooky has let him go out, and we have taken the opportunity.

"We are a little bit light in midfield, so he will add to the squad, and, when he gets the opportunity, it's up to him to establish himself and keep the shirt. It's an opportunity for him to kick-start his career and we hope he will take it."