Chesterfield assistant manager John Dungworth admits Spireites are "behind in preparation" for National League season

Town started their pre-season later than they would have liked because of the delay in the takeover and players being furloughed.

They also suffered a blow when the friendly against Matlock Town was cancelled, meaning they will have played just three matches before the season gets underway on October 3.

Dungworth was on media duties after the Blues’ 2-0 defeat to Alfreton Town on Saturday with manager John Pemberton not at the game and thought to be self-isolating.

“It has been difficult this last week since the Belper game,” Dungworth told the DT. “We are behind in terms of preparation but we have got two weeks to put that right.

“We’ve not had everybody training this week but hopefully we will have everybody available next week to prepare for Guiseley.”

Dungworth also said it looks unlikely that the Matlock fixture will be rearranged, adding: “Obviously we would have liked to. It would be good to get another game in but we will have to work through on the training ground.”

Dungworth revealed that Nathan Tyson has not trained since pulling up in the pre-match warm-up against Belper Town and he did not feature against Alfreton.

Curtis Weston, who has been struggling with a calf injury and also missed out against the Reds, trained on Thursday but did not finish the session through “soreness” but it is hoped both him and Tyson will be back for Guiseley next Saturday (September 26).

Goals from Jamie Jones just before half-time and Jake Day on the full-time whistle gave Alfreton, one division below Chesterfield, a deserved win.

The Spireites’ best chance fell to substitute Luke Rawson who hit the post when one-on-one with the goalkeeper with 15 minutes to go.

Dungworth added: “It was a mixed performance. It is a disappointing scoreline. They scored the second with the last kick of the game. I thought we were well in the game in the second half. Obviously we want to win every game but the plus side is we have got minutes in players and most of the squad have taken part today.”