The omission of Ollie Banks from Chesterfield’s matchday squad against Cheltenham Town has been explained.

The midfielder had started all six of the Spireites’ league games this season, playing 90 minutes in four of them. But the 32-year-old was left out of the squad of 18 when the Robins visited the SMH Group Stadium on Saturday, which finished 1-1.

Banks has started the campaign strongly, striking up a good understanding alongside Darren Oldaker in midfield, but he had to watch from the stands at the weekend as Town were held to their third home 1-1 draw of the season.

Oldaker returned from his one-match ban to play alongside on-loan Everton midfielder Jenson Metcalfe, who was making his first home start.

With Banks, Oldaker, Metcalfe, Mike Jones and John Fleck, who was on the bench for the first time after signing, the Blues have got some strong competition for places in central midfield so there could be some more rotations in future weeks. There is also the possibility of Tom Naylor coming back into midfield at some point, like he did in the second-half on Saturday.

When asked about leaving Banks out, Paul Cook said: "Just a little tactical one. I wanted to bring DJ in and play Jenson as a holding midfielder. Ollie has got a big future at the club, like every player has.”

Chesterfield return to league action away at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday (3pm). The Spireites will be backed by a sold-out away end of 3,000 fans for the first meeting between the two sides since April 2016. Rovers drew 1-1 at MK Dons at the weekend, leaving them sixth in the table.