Thursday 29 August 2013 18:03, UK
Chesterfield boss Paul Cook believes Ian Evatt is now ready to make his Spirites debut.
And the Blues boss has hinted that the experienced defender could come into his thinking for Saturday's Sky Bet League Two clash against Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Former Spireite Evatt rejoined the club last month but has yet to feature for the first team as he regains full fitness following nine months out after knee surgery. The centre-half, 31, Cook's captain-in-waiting, made a tentative first appearance for Chesterfield last week, getting 70 minutes under his belt in a 5-1 win over Grimsby. He featured in another friendly on Tuesday afternoon and played the entire match as a strong Sheffield Wednesday side were beaten 2-0. Cook was impressed with Evatt's performance against the Owls and he could now be considered for selection against Pompey at the weekend. "I think he's forced his way in now," said Cook. "I've been a little sceptical in terms of how quickly I wanted him to come in. Against Grimsby he was a little bit more gingerly going into things than perhaps we wanted him to be, but it was his first game back after a long time. "He certainly wasn't like that on Tuesday against Sheffield Wednesday - he was positive in everything he did and was on the front foot at all times. "For the first time now I can sit here and tell you he is ready to start. If I had to start him on Saturday I would have no problem doing that."
