Chris Sutton will be hoping his Lincoln City side can continue their improved form when they head to Chesterfield for Saturday’s League Two clash (kick-off 3pm).
The Imps crashed out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in the week, but a win at Gillingham before a draw at home to Torquay saw the Imps compensate for their slow start to the league campaign.
Chesterfield had a much more positive August and are currently unbeaten this season. The Spireites sit in 4th place in the division and will be looking to finish around that position come May to make up for narrowly missing out on the play-offs in the 2009/10 season.
City go into the game with several key players still missing. Albert Jarrett, who missed the midweek cup tie against Rotherham, is still away on international duty with Sierra Leone. As well as that, Gavin McCallum and Mustapha Carayol are yet to resume training and are therefore unlikely to play.
On Tuesday Moses Swaibu filled in for veteran centre back and assistant manager Ian Pearce, but it seems likely that the former Fulham and West Ham centre back will return to the fold this weekend. With Scott Kerr fit again, the second central midfield berth will be given to either Jamie Clapham or Clark Keltie — with the former likely to get the nod due to his experience and calming influence.
The premature substitution of Paul Green at Don Valley stadium in midweek was a precaution, meaning he is likely to retain his place at right back.
Chesterfield, who beat League One side Walsall away in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday, have been boosted by the news that loanee Scott Griffiths has extended his deal at the club by two months.
But experienced defender Ian Breckin is suffering from a virus but, in fit-again Robert Page, manager John Sheridan has another veteran to fill in. Ex-Barnsley and Bury player Dwayne Mattis had filled in at the back in midweek but he should return to central midfield. City should be wary of striker Jack Lester who is still a dangerous striker, despite now entering the twilight of his career.
The Linc prediction: Chesterfield 2 Imps 0