Chesterfield have two players who are most at risk of receiving a one-match suspension before the cut-off point.

Chey Dunkley has played 90 minutes in every league game this season apart from in the 1-0 win at Grimsby Town last Saturday, where he was taken off with 20 to go as he was at risk of being issued with a second yellow card of the afternoon. With the Mariners down to 10-men, the Spireites did not want to give referee Martin Woods an opportunity to even the numbers up and so they opted to replace him with Janoi Donacien instead.

After signing for the Blues in summer 2024, the experienced centre-back missed the majority of last season with a neck injury which required surgery. But the former Sheffield Wednesday and Wigan Athletic man has overcome that now and is back to full fitness.

Dunkley’s booking at Blundell Park at the weekend was his third in the league, meaning he is two away from a one match suspension. Any player who receives five yellows before the 19th league game of the season gets a ban. The centre-half has four in total but one of those came in the FA Cup against Stevenage and accumulated bookings in cup competitions are treated seperately.

Midfielder Ronan Darcy is also in a similar situation after the on-loan Wigan man picked up his third booking of the league season against Grimsby. After working his way back into the starting line-up, no doubt he will be desperate to avoid having to sit one out.

The good news is that 16 matches have already been ticked off which means the pair only have to avoid the referee’s attention for three more league fixtures. If they can come through clashes against Crewe, Swindon Town and Cambridge United then they will be in the clear.

Tom Naylor leads the way with seven yellows in total, five in the league, but he has already served a one-match ban, as has Vontae Daley-Campbell, who has five in the league and one in the FA Cup.

With Chesterfield having injuries to Ryan Stirk, Armando Dobra, Will Grigg, Matt Dibley-Dias and Luke Butterfield, they will be keen to avoid losing anyone else ahead of a busy period.