Defence a worry for Spireites
Chesterfield have defensive problems ahead of Hartlepool's visit in the FA Cup first round.
Captain Sam Hird must serve a one-match suspension after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season during last weekend's 1-0 npower League Two defeat to Barnet.
On-loan Huddersfield left-back Liam Ridehalgh is ineligible to play in the competition, as is midfielder Chris Atkinson, who is also on loan from the Terriers, while defender Neal Trotman limped out of a reserve-team fixture on Tuesday with what looked like a hamstring injury.
Nathan Smith will replace Ridehalgh but Terrell Forbes is the only senior defender available to manager Paul Cook capable of playing at centre-half.
Teenager Jack Broadhead has been an unused substitute this season and 20-year-old midfielder Craig Clay has played in central defence in several reserve fixtures, but neither has any first-team experience in that role.
Elsewhere, Tommy Lee could return to the squad. The goalkeeper made his comeback for the reserves in midweek following the shoulder injury he sustained at the start of September. Strikers Marc Richards (hamstring) and Luis Boa Morte (groin), and midfielder Mark Allott (hamstring) will remain out, though.
Hartlepool caretaker boss Micky Barron's preparations have been hit by the news midfielder Luke James is out for six weeks.
The 17-year-old, who has made seven appearances this season, suffered a double hernia during a reserve match in October and had an operation on Tuesday to try and correct the problem.
He is joined on the sidelines by long-term absentee Andy Monkhouse.
The midfielder has been missing since the defeat at Crewe last month with an ankle injury and is not forecast for a return to first-team action for another two weeks.
Hartlepool are waiting for a decision from Sunderland over whether on-loan forward Ryan Noble is permitted to play in the tie.
However, 18-year-old Zak Boagey, who signed for the club from Middlesbrough on Thursday, is eligible for selection.
Source: PA
