Chesterfield v Torquay preview
Last Updated: September 28, 2012 1:03pm
Whittaker: Returns from injury
Team news for Saturday's League Two clash between Chesterfield and Torquay at the Proact Stadium
Fit-again Danny Whitaker is likely to return to Chesterfield's starting line-up.
Whitaker, recently absent due to a groin injury, came on as a 76th-minute substitute during the goalless draw at Northampton last weekend and played an hour for the reserves on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old has featured on the left of midfield this season but his preferred position is just off one or two strikers and it is that role he is likely to occupy against the Gulls.
With Marc Richards expected to be out for a handful of weeks with the ankle injury he sustained during the home win over Accrington 10 days ago, and Scott Boden nursing a minor groin problem, caretaker manager Tommy Wright has brought in Blackburn teenager Micah Evans on loan to support Craig Westcarr and veteran striker Jack Lester.
Traditionally, Chesterfield have a decent record against Torquay, though last season the Gulls won an FA Cup tie in north Derbyshire.
In league games, Torquay have won just one of the last 10 meetings and they have not returned to Devon with maximum points since their first trip to Saltergate back in 1960.
Torquay boss Martin Ling hopes to have midfielder Nathan Craig available.
Craig lasted less than 45 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Burton at Plainmoor last weekend before he hobbled off with an ankle injury.
But, with a full week of rest, Ling believes Craig will have shaken off the problem in time to feature against the Spireites.
Midfielder Damon Lathrope continues to remain on the sidelines with a knee injury he sustained last month against Cheltenham.
However, Ling thinks his return is closer than first thought, admitting he could return to the line-up in two weeks.
Prolific striker Rene Howe and midfielder Ian Morris played last week despite concerns with knee and groin injuries respectively, and neither player has suffered any adverse reaction.
Matches
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npower League 2
Table
npower League 2
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gillingham | 46 | 83 |
| 2 | Rotherham United | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Port Vale | 46 | 78 |
| 4 | Burton Albion | 46 | 76 |
| 5 | Cheltenham Town | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Northampton Town | 46 | 73 |
| 7 | Bradford City | 46 | 69 |
| 8 | Chesterfield | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Oxford United | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Exeter City | 46 | 64 |
| 11 | Southend United | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Rochdale | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Fleetwood Town | 46 | 60 |
| 14 | Bristol Rovers | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Wycombe Wanderers | 46 | 60 |
| 16 | Morecambe | 46 | 58 |
| 17 | York City | 46 | 55 |
| 18 | Accrington Stanley | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | Torquay United | 46 | 53 |
| 20 | AFC Wimbledon | 46 | 53 |
| 21 | Plymouth Argyle | 46 | 52 |
| 22 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 46 | 51 |
| 23 | Barnet | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Aldershot Town | 46 | 48 |
