DARLINGTON manager Steve Staunton will wait to check on the fitness of two or three players who have been carrying knocks before naming his side to face Chesterfield at the Northern Echo Arena.

But the manager has every confidence that his squad is strong enough to cope, if players need to be given the chance to rest and recover from niggling injuries.

"We don't need to risk players if playing them may mean we lose them for three or four games," he said. "We've worked hard in training. I set the tone in training, but the players have set the standard in matches, and must maintain those standards.

"There's more belief in the side now than there was a few weeks ago, and while we are always looking to strengthen, we have players who are confident they can win games."

Central defender Richie Byrne, and striker Mor Diop are both hoping to be in the starting line-up.

"Richie has not played much football, but the game time last week at Morecambe will have done him good, and he is fit enough to start if called upon."

While Byrne came off the bench to make his debut, Diop stayed in the dugout, and is raring to go if asked to start against the Spireites. He was left out because the Morecambe pitch did not suit him and he had just become a father.

The manager has the option of playing him alongside Tadhg Purcell, or with Curtis Main, with Purcell reverting to the flank. And Patrick Deane is also in the frame for a striking berth.

But whatever side he names the manager expects the side to deliver. "We are looking for the same attitude, commitment and effort that brought four points from our last two home games," he said.

"They were frustrated to lose last week. But they must take out that frustration in the right manner."

Quakers will need to be on their game, preferably showing the form that beat Rotherham a fortnight ago, because Chesterfield have won their last four games.

"We need to create chances like we did at Morecambe last week. They came from playing football and not just knocking the ball long. We worked the keeper and a couple of shots were deflected back into his reach, so we were unlucky.

Darlington are likely to confront their former players Barry Conlon and Adam Rundle, who have both recently signed for Chesterfield, striker Conlon from Grimsby and winger Rundle from Rochdale.