Stockport boss Jim Gannon is considering throwing skipper Ashley Williams straight into the starting line-up at home to promotion rivals Chesterfield.

Williams has been out of action since damaging knee ligaments against Peterborough in November.

But he has played two practice games recently and Gannon has confirmed he may bring him back against the high-flying Spireites.

Vice-captain Gareth Owen could also be ready to play alongside Williams in central defence after he recently recovered from a knee injury of his own.

But there is no guarantee of starting spots for either player, considering the recent form of Michael Raynes and Jim McNulty.

Stockport are in a rich vein of form, having won their last four league games, but they have been without a game for more than a fortnight.

Boss Lee Richardson will choose from an unchanged squad as Chesterfield look to return to winning ways.

The Spireites boss insists he will not make 'wholesale changes' after his side's promotion charge was derailed by the 1-0 defeat at Wycombe at the weekend.

"I have to decide whether to make changes after we have lost a game, but if I do they certainly won't be wholesale ones," said Richardson.

"We have to remember that it was only a week ago that we were being lauded for a magnificent performance after beating Hereford 4-0."

Peter Leven and Jamie Lowry are available for the trip to Edgeley Park despite both collecting their fifth yellow cards of the season against Wycombe.

The pair will serve their one-match suspensions when Chester visit Saltergate on Saturday.