Chesterfield V Southend at Proact Stadium : Match Preview

25 January 2013 10:01
Chesterfield V Southend - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Same again for Spireites

Chesterfield manager Paul Cook will name an unchanged side for the visit of promotion rivals Southend.

Cook said last week ahead of the trip to Torquay that he would stick with the players that started the 3-0 home win over Northampton.

With the game in Devon postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, the Blues boss has reiterated that stance.

"Nothing has changed, it will be an unchanged team - the same team that beat Northampton," said Cook.

"As I said before, I think they have earned the right to go again. So it will be the Northampton team but with a stronger bench."

Among the substitutes could be teenage right-back Richard Brindley and Ivorian striker Armand Gnanduillet.

Former Norwich trainee Brindley arrived from Chelmsford last week on a deal until the end of the season while out-of-contract Gnanduillet this week signed for the same length of time.

With Drew Talbot absent due to a broken toe, skipper Sam Hird moved over to right-back against Northampton and transfer-listed defender Neal Trotman was highly impressive in his first appearance since the 2-1 home defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge in mid-October.

Southend boss Paul Sturrock will leave his team selection as late as possible with three key players hoping to be back in contention for the trip.

Winger Kevan Hurst suffered a recurrence of a back problem in the 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Brentford last Tuesday and expects to be okay to face his hometown club having returned to full training.

Centre-back Ryan Cresswell sustained a shoulder injury in the same game and is hopeful of being passed fit but had still not trained on Thursday.

Midfielder Marc Laird has missed out of late with a pulled hamstring but he is also keen to be involved against the Spireites, with the clash coming after last weekend's home encounter against Plymouth was postponed.

Sturrock will also run the rule over striker Britt Assombalonga as he continues his recovery from troublesome ankle and shin problems.

Source: PA