MANSFIELD Town striker Jake Speight is in line for a surprise recall for Saturday’s derby clash with Chesterfield after four months on the sidelines through injury.

Speight, troubled by injury and illness since playing against Morecambe in a 2-1 home defeat at the end of November, scored the winner for the reserves in midweek.

His 75th minute strike secured 3-2 semi-final win in the League Cup at a strong Leicester City.

Afterwards manager Paul Cox, who has been hunting for a new striker but has no money to spend, said: “Jake is a natural goalscorer and he showed that with his finish. Some players would have skied that over the stand.

“Jake only had the one chance in the 45 minutes he played and put it away.

“Now we will have to see how is he and if there has been any reaction to playing. We have been in this situation a few times with Jake and now we have to keep him fit.

“It’s the first time for a while he has been in the picture, but having a natural goalscorer in your squad is so important and, if he is all right, he is probably going to be involved on Saturday.

“We have a lot of games coming up and he could yet play a massive part for us.”

Chris Clements and Junior Daniel put Stags 2-0 up before the home side levelled to strengthen their claims for a return to the Stags’ starting line-up.

Earlier this season Mansfield won 1-0 at Chesterfield through Calvin Andrew’s goal, but lost shortly afterwards at home in the Johnstones Paint Trophy.

Cox admitted it was a massive game, with the Stags still troubled by the possibility of an immediate return to non-league football, and Chesterfield looking for promotion, despite a recent run of poor results.

Cox said: “It is a big game, I won’t tell any lies, local derbies usually are. Saturday is massive for both clubs.

“But it is one of a number of games coming up that are huge.

“Saturday means a lot for both sets of supporters, players and staff.

“The main thing for us is to maintain our status in this League and, after Saturday, we know there are still another eight massive games to come. It is an exciting end to the season.”

Kick-off is at 1pm.