Exeter V Chesterfield at St James Park - Match Preview

Liam Sercombe and Alan Gow are set to return to Paul Tisdale's starting XI when Exeter play host to Chesterfield.

The duo returned to the bench for last weekend's defeat to Northampton after recovering from respective ankle injuries.

But Tisdale is set to ring the changes following successive losses and both are expected to be handed a starting role.

Striker Gow did replace Kevin Amankwaah at the break in that fixture and he's now likely to drop to the bench with Steve Tully moving over to right-back.

Returning midfielder Sercombe insists he is ready to get the Grecians' season back on track after declaring himself fully fit.

"He (manager Paul Tisdale) has brought me back in slowly, but I felt great on Saturday and now I am ready to start a match," he told the Western Morning News.

"I am confident I will start the game on Saturday and push the team forward. The manager might decide to change a couple of tactical things on Saturday and try something new."

Chesterfield could be boosted by the return of Marc Richards ahead of their game at St James' Park.

Richards has been absent since he was carried from the field on a stretcher after suffering an ankle injury during the closing stages of the thrilling 4-3 home win over Accrington on September 18.

The 30-year-old striker, who scored his first goal for the Spireites following his summer arrival from npower League Two rivals Port Vale in that game against Stanley, has trained this week and is expected to travel to Devon.

Nathan Smith played the full 90 minutes of a reserve team game on Wednesday night following his ankle injury but this fixture will come too soon for the left-back.

Sam Togwell is nursing a bruised knee following last weekend's home defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge and he will undergo a late fitness test.

Elsewhere in midfield, Danny Whitaker is expected to be fit after a groin problem but Mark Allott (hamstring) will remain out.

Source: PA

Source: PA