Chesterfield midfielder Tim Akinola has suffered an injury while on loan at Dagenham and Redbridge.
The 23-year-old, who joined the Daggers on a season-long loan last month, sustained the injury during last Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Maidenhead United. Akinola was forced off late in the game with what has been suggested to be an ankle injury.
Akinola had only recently begun to feature for Dagenham, having made his debut as a half-time substitute in a 2-0 defeat to York City before earning a starting spot in the draw with Maidenhead. The injury now raises concerns over his availability for the coming weeks, with Dagenham’s assistant manager Lewis Young admitting that losing him would be a “big loss.”
Speaking after Dagenham’s 3-0 victory over Sutton United on Tuesday, Young praised Akinola’s influence on the team since joining but expressed concern over the severity of the injury. “His all-round presence and personality around the group has been fantastic. To lose him is going to be a big loss,” said Young. Akinola was absent from the squad for that match, further indicating the seriousness of the issue.
Akinola, who re-signed for Chesterfield in the summer after a previous loan spell, has a contract with the Spireites that includes a one-year option. He began his football career as a trainee at Lincoln City before moving on to Huddersfield Town’s academy, where his youth-level performances caught the attention of Arsenal. They signed him for their U23 squad, and Akinola played regularly for their development side but did not make a first-team appearance for the Gunners.
After leaving The Emirates, Akinola had a brief stint in Qatar before returning to English football, signing for Chesterfield. His initial loan spell with the Spireites saw him make a positive impact, leading to his return permanently.
It remains unclear how long Akinola will be sidelined, but there could be an update before Dagenham’s next fixture on Saturday against league leaders Gateshead. Dagenham currently sit 14th in the National League table, with two wins, four draws, and two defeats so far this season.
Writer’s View
Akinola’s injury won’t be a significant blow to Chesterfield in the immediate sense, as he’s currently out on loan to Dagenham and not directly contributing to the Spireites’ campaign. However, the club will be keeping a close eye on his recovery, as they invested in him over the summer with the intention of him developing through regular game time. His progression and return to full fitness are crucial for his potential long-term impact at Chesterfield, especially if they are looking to bring him back into the fold next season.
For Dagenham and Redbridge, the loss of Akinola could be a more immediate concern. He had just begun to settle into the team, with his energy and presence in midfield offering the Daggers a boost. Assistant manager Lewis Young has already highlighted his positive influence on the group, so losing him will be a frustration for both the team and Akinola himself. The midfielder will likely be frustrated by the setback, as he was just starting to earn consistent minutes after joining on loan.
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