Burton Albion FC vs Chesterfield - Tom Flanagan could make first start of 2016 when Burton host Chesterfield

Posted Thursday, February 11, 2016 by PA

Tom Flanagan is pushing for a return to the Burton starting line-up as the League One leaders prepare for the visit of Chesterfield.

Flanagan has been out since undergoing appendix surgery at the turn of the year. He made his first-team comeback as a late substitute against Bradford before this week coming through 90 minutes for the development squad.

The 24-year-old will now put pressure on Shane Cansdell-Sherriff's place in central defence ahead of Friday night.

Timmy Thiele (groin) came off during Monday's development squad game as a precautionary measure but the forward is expected to be fit, enabling Burton boss Nigel Clough to name an unchanged squad as Albion look to extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points ahead of Saturday's matches.

Meanwhile, Chesterfield are looking to halt a three-game losing run in League One and boss Danny Wilson will need to check on a handful of players before finalising his plans.

A bout of diarrhoea has affected the squad this week. One such player is Lee Novak, although he is a doubt anyway after suffering a foot injury against Peterborough.

Fellow striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is also nursing an injury from last weekend and he, along with Novak, will be assessed nearer kick-off.

Byron Harrison has left the Spireites for a loan stint at Stevenage while Mani Dieseruvwe, Charlie Raglan (hernia), Ian Evatt (Achilles) and Angel Martinez (knee) remain out injured.