One back, one out and others edging closer - Chesterfield injury news for Crewe Alexandra clash
Chesterfield are unlikely to have Will Grigg back for Saturday’s trip to Crewe Alexandra.
The Spireites are sixth in the League Two table after going eight games unbeaten in all competitions. They would jump into the top three with a victory at Gresty Road alongside some other favourable results elsewhere. Opponents Crewe are only two places and one point behind Town so there is plenty on the line this weekend.
Grigg has missed the last four matches as the Blues take a cautious approach to managing a groin niggle with the striker. But the 34-year-old is back on the training pitches and should not be much longer.
There is more encouraging news in that Ryan Stirk is making good progress and is weeks rather than months away from returning from a quad injury which has forced him to be sidelined for the last four fixtures. And the same can be said for Luke Butterfield, who is also weeks rather than months away from recovering from a broken foot.
Adam Lewis is available for selection again after overcoming an ankle injury. Lee Bonis was given an extra day off at the start of the week after taking a whack on the leg from Grimsby Town goalkeeper Christy Pym in the incident which saw the home stopper sent off in last Saturday's 1-0 win for Chesterfield.
Armando Dobra (hamstring) and Matt Dibley-Dias (knee) are long-term absentees.
Summing up the squad news, first-team coach Gary Roberts said: “Lee Bonis had a really bad kick off the goalkeeper for the sending off. Earlier in the week, he had an extra day just to be careful but everyone came through Grimsby fine other than that.
"Adam Lewis is back in training, and Ryan Stirk, Will Grigg and Luke Butterfield are not so far away which is really pleasing. They are itching to get back.”
When pressed further on Grigg and Stirk, Roberts told the DT: “Will is on the grass but he probably will miss out again this week unfortunately. Hopefully we will have him back for next week because he has gone past the physios now. Stirk is doing really well. The scan didn’t read well for us but now we have progressed it, it is looking a lot brighter than what we thought, so it will be weeks. He will want it to be shorter but we have got a plan for him and he is on the grass. He is one of those guys who wants to be on there everyday, he wants to train.”