Chesterfield look to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointment and move a step closer to safety when they travel to in-form Scunthorpe United this weekend.

The Spireites’ five-game unbeaten run was brought to a disappointing end last Saturday as they were comfortably defeated 4-1 by Walsall at the Proact Stadium. But eleven points from the last six games has elevated Danny Wilson’s side out of the bottom four and with his team four points clear of the relegation zone, the manager is taking the positives:

“It’s not all bad and I think if we can do that again (five games unbeaten) then that’ll keep us safe. Hopefully we can start a little run again but it will be a very hard game.”

But the trip to Glanford Park is going to be no easy task. Chesterfield haven’t won at the home of The Iron for a quarter of a century and with only one defeat in their last ten outings, 13th-placed Scunthorpe may even still have one eye on the play-offs.

“They’re still possibly harboring quiet thoughts of getting to the play offs, they’re still within touching distance and will think they’ve got a decent chance. They had a chance of manager and from that they seem to have kicked on and Nick Dawes has done very well there.”

Wilson will be without Dion Donohue for the trip following his straight red card against Walsall – Wilson saying he sympathises with the player’s disappointment. One man who could replace him is Welsh international Declan John, whose loan move from Cardiff City has been extended until the end of the season.

“You’ve seen what Declan can offer us. He’s very patient going forward – he will create and he will get forward in very advanced positions. So that’s what were hoping for. You’ve got to remember he’s still a young boy and very inexperienced, but he’s been brought in to give us offensive options and I’m sure he’ll do that.”

Meanwhile, Liam O’Neil and Charlie Raglan return to the first team picture, but Dan Jones is disappointingly out for an extended period following complications to his injury. Mani Dieseruvwe has followed the path of Dan Gardner and Byron Harrison by moving out on loan for more game time.

Saturday’s game is a big one for both sides, for very different reasons. Defeat for Scunthorpe may end any hopes of top six that the Iron may have, while defeat for Chesterfield could see them dragged well and truly back into the relegation picture.