Spireites match preview: Chesterfield v AFC Wimbledon

Paul Cook’s Spireites have lost three of their last five games since the turn of the year, with their only win coming at home to Northampton almost a month ago.

The run of form has seen them fall behind in the play-off race and with crucial tests against Rotherham and Gillingham coming up, Saturday’s game is seen as a must-win for the Blues.

Drew Talbot is in a race to be fit while winger Tendayi Darikwa is expected to be out for a month as he undergoes treatment to solve a hernia problem.

Meanwhile Neal Ardley’s men will be optimistic they can do the double over Chesterfield this season in a win that could see them move out of the relegation zone.

Jack Midson’s first half strike was all that separated the two sides on the opening game of the season in August.

But a poor run of form followed, and a run of just two wins in their first ten games saw the Dons plummet to the bottom of the table where they have since remained.

The opposition

Home form has been Wimbledon’s downfall this campaign, as they have recorded five wins on the road. Victories have come at Wycombe (14th), Plymouth (22nd), York (18th), Torquay (17th) and Rochdale (15th).

The Spireites will take confidence from the fact the Dons are yet to beat a top half team away from home this season.

A successful run of form in 2013, which saw a return of two wins and three draws from five games, came to an end at Vale Park. Ashley Vincent bagged a brace and former Notts County striker Lee Hughes scored the other as high-flying Port Vale cruised to a 3-0 win - a defeat Dons manager Neal Ardley took the blame for playing five at the back.

Their most notable dealing in January saw veteran striker Gary Alexander join on loan from Crawley on deadline day.

He took less than half an hour to open his account in the 1-1 draw with Burton Albion.

He will be hoping to score the goals alongside Midson, who has nine, to give the Dons a fighting chance of beating the drop. They are a point behind Plymouth with a game in hand.

Last time they lined up (v Port Vale): Sullivan, Balkestein, Mitchell-King, Fenlon, Bennett, Hussey, S Moore, Yussuff, Sweeney, Ajala, Alexander.

Dons recent form: W W D D D L