Manager Paul Cook wants Chesterfield supporters to give a warm welcome back to three of the club’s former promotion winners when they return with York City tomorrow.

Ash Palmer, Ollie Banks and Jeff King gave good service during their time in north Derbyshire, notably helping Town get back into to the Football League two years ago after six seasons out.

All three added another National League title to their records with City last season, with Banks and King each stacking up more than 40 appearances along the way.

Those two have been regulars this term and are expected to feature tomorrow.

Ash Palmer and Ollie Banks in their days with Chesterfield. Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

placeholder image — Ash Palmer and Ollie Banks in their days with Chesterfield. Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

"We are going to see two lads for sure, possibly three in their squad in Ash, Ollie and Jeff,” said Cook.

"I need to pay them a really big compliment as lads, not just players, for what they did for this football club at a time of need and how they conducted themselves on and off the pitch.

"When they come back tomorrow I’m sure our fans will give them a really good reception because they deserve that.

"They also deserve a mention for what they did for this club and for how fondly we still remember them and still hold them close to us even though they are playing for someone else.”

Ex-Spireite Jeff King celebrates with team-mate Mark Kitching after winning the National League on the final day at Rochdale last season. Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images

Banks (33) and King (30) have been regulars this season while Palmer (33) has made one appearance after spending the back end of last term on loan at Halifax.

They are part of a York outfit going well under Scott Lindsey, who initially had a rough ride from supporters after the unpopular decision to sack title winning manager Stuart Maynard during the summer.

"Fans and happiness don’t go hand in hand at the minute do they, that’s for other people to get involved with,” said Cook.

“Having watched York, they’re a good side, really strong. It is going to be a good game but a really difficult one.”

Chesterfield’s three-match unbeaten league run has nudged them up to 12th in League Two and their two wins so far have come away from home.

York arrive in third spot, three points better off. Only four points separate the top half the division.

"The league is still taking shape,” added Cook. “We played some really tough sides at the start of the season. We are going into a really tough one tomorrow and then we go to Cheltenham, who are really flying at the minute.

"I just feel this year will be a difficult year in terms of it being more a level playing field and no stand-out teams in comparison to last year when you might have said A, B C should go up.

"I know Salford have signed really good players and I expect them to get going after a bedding-in period but after that you run into a team we are going to see tomorrow like York, who are excellent.

"We saw Barnet last week and we went to Oldham, who would expect to be up there. Rotherham will too and Gillingham are on a good run now.

"There are so many teams you can throw a blanket over so it’s about concentrating on yourselves, concentrating on your points tally and seeing where it gets you.”