York City v Chesterfield: Worthington excited at facing big spenders

However, despite the gulf in spending power between the Minstermen and both tonight’s visitors to Bootham Crescent, Chesterfield, and Saturday’s opponents Fleetwood Town, the York manager is backing his side to bounce back from their first defeat of 2014.

Worthington’s side lost 2-0 at Hartlepool United on Saturday to end a four-game unbeaten start to the year.

He said: “We did very well against Chesterfield at their place earlier in the season (in a 2-2 draw), so they know it won’t be easy.

“You have to bear in mind that in our next two games we will be taking on the Manchester City and Chelsea of League Two in terms of budgets. But that challenge just excites us and we will be up for both games.”

Ryan Bowman is expected to be fit despite limping out of the Hartlepool defeat, which has helped ease what could have been a damaging striker crisis with Ryan Jarvis also having been injured at the weekend in the defeat in the North East.

John McCombe, normally a centre-half, had to be pressed into duty as a makeshift striker when brought off the bench with five minutes remaining.

Worthington said: “It is good that he (Bowman) is fit, it is big news for us.

“I thought our performance was decent again at Hartlepool.

“We looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw, but then we conceded a needless free-kick in a dangerous area – and that was that.”

Last six games: York City LWWWDL, Chesterfield DDWLDW.

Last time: York City 2 Chesterfield 2; September 8, 2012; League Two.

Referee: D Bond (Lancashire).