Chesterfield forward Wade Small is closing in on a return from his hamstring problem.

The injury has kept the 25-year-old out of the last five league and cup matches.

He was expected to return to the squad against Barnet at the weekend but asked to be left out of the game, which the Blues won 1-0 to move into the play-off places.

Small could make his comeback when League Two leaders Bournemouth visit Saltergate in the first round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

"His hamstring wasn't 100 per cent at the weekend. He knows his own body so we went with what he said," said boss John Sheridan. "He'd trained all week but still had a little niggle and didn't feel right.

"You can't force a player to play so we just need to make sure it's right. Hopefully though it won't be long now."