FORMER Burnley defender Steve Blatherwick has been transfer-listed by Chesterfield and is likely to gain a place on the bench at best for tomorrow's clash at Turf Moor.

Blatherwick made only sporadic appearances for the Spireites last season after a loan move from the Clarets was made permanent at the start of December with a £50,000 deal.

And, despite losing Northern Ireland international Mark Williams to Watford, manager John Duncan is prepared to let the 25-year-old go.

Blatherwick's former Nottingham Forest team-mate Jason Lee, Chesterfield's record signing at £250,000, is also out of favour and on the list and he is another candidate for the bench.

Duncan turned to Stoke City's Steve Woods to plug the gap left by Williams' departure and also signed left-back Steve Payne from Macclesfield Town to replace Stcokport-bound Shane Nicholson.

Chesterfield's other summer recruit, ex-Sheffield United man Chris Bettney, is expected to play up front alongside former Burnley loan striker David Reeves.

But Duncan is beset with injuries elsewhere, being without first-choice keeper Billy Mercer, striker Jonathan Howard, utility man Steve Wilkinson and possibly midfielder Chris Beaumont.

That has stretched Chesterfield's slender resources and Duncan says it's a case of trying to get the best out of what he has available. "We have done well there in the past and I hope we can carry that on. We have got to keep building and get out of it whatever we can," said the long-serving manager, whose workmanlike side completed the double over Burnley last season.

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