Question marks over Chesterfield pair Dan Jones and Jon Nolan ahead of Oxford United opener

Danny Wilson revealed that left-back Jones, who missed most of last season with a fractured ankle, sat out Tuesday’s friendly against Leicester with another ankle issue.

The Spireites boss said: “Dan’s got a bit of an ankle problem so he didn’t take part the other night.

“But he could possibly play.”

Midfielder Nolan has had limited football since arriving at the Proact from Grimsby this summer having picked up a knock in training.

Wilson added: “Clinically he’s fine, there’s no problem at all but whether he’s up to 90 minutes match fitness in a tough first league game we’ll have to wait and see.”

“He’s a very, very fit boy, one of the fittest at the club, but match fitness wise no, that’s the difference.

“He’s only had the few minutes that you know about.

“We’ll wait and see for Saturday on that one.”

Chesterfield will be without the suspended Sam Hird, the centre-half forced to sit out after a red card on the final day of last season at Bradford City.

He too has had a slight knock to deal with but his manager insists he’ll be fine to return after suspension.

In his absence Wilson is likely to opt for a central defence of veteran Ian Evatt and Charlie Raglan.

Midfield is the hardest area of Town’s starting line-up to predict with Reece Mitchell and Dan Gardner expected to fight it out for the left wing position, while either Nolan or Connor Dimaio could partner Gary Liddle in the middle.