Peterborough United defender Jack Sparkes, on loan at Chesterfield, is set to be out for around a month after he suffered a knee injury in the win over Salford City.
The left-back, who joined from Posh in January, sustained the issue in the second half of the match and was forced to leave the pitch. A subsequent scan confirmed damage to the knee, dealing a blow to the Spireites as they push for a strong end to the season.
Despite the setback, Chesterfield remain hopeful that Sparkes could return earlier than expected, with assistant coach Danny Webb pointing to Kyle McFadzean’s rapid recovery from a similar injury.
Webb Offers Injury Update
“It is not good,” Webb told the Derbyshire Times. “I think it will be at least four weeks. It is damage to the knee. But if you look at (Kyle) McFadzean, that is normally an eight-week injury but he is back training Monday, so hopefully Jack will be back a lot sooner than later.”
Sparkes has been a key figure for Chesterfield since his arrival, contributing three assists and offering both defensive stability and attacking threat from the left flank.
Lewis Gordon Steps Up
Fortunately for Chesterfield, they have a strong replacement in Lewis Gordon, who recently made his first start since December after recovering from a calf injury. Gordon was one of the Spireites’ standout performers in the first half of the season, and he made an immediate impact against Notts County by setting up Bim Pepple’s opener.
The former Bristol Rovers man played 70 minutes before being withdrawn with cramp, but his performance reassured Webb and his coaching staff about their options at left-back in Sparkes’ absence.
“He was fantastic,” Webb said of Gordon. “You don’t want one of them to get injured, of course you don’t, but I suppose it makes your mind up about who is going to play left-back!”
Jack Sparkes’s Career So Far
Sparkes began his career with Exeter City, making his professional debut in August 2017 and scoring his first goal later that month. He had loan spells at Chippenham Town and Salisbury before breaking into Exeter’s first team in 2019–20, making 17 appearances before a knee injury ended his season. After recovering from a shoulder injury in 2021, he had a brief loan at Torquay United. In 2023, Sparkes signed a two-year deal with Portsmouth. A year later, in July 2024, he joined Peterborough United on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
Writer’s View
Sparkes’ injury is a setback, but Chesterfield have reason to be optimistic. His impact since arriving on loan has been significant, and his decision to stay with the squad highlights his commitment. With Lewis Gordon stepping up, the Spireites have cover in place as they continue their play-off push.
