BT Sport At The Ready For The Game That Always Produces!

The man with the mic says in his eight years covering the National League that there’s not been many bigger regular season matches that spring to mind.

Nor, arguably, will the collective quality on show have been higher, he said on social media this week.

His view is no doubt enhanced by some epic contests between the two rivals in recent years.

Chesterfield vs Notts County is simply the game that always produces.

So with a packed house waiting, this has all the ingredients for another classic six months on from the breathless 2-2 at Meadow Lane, with both teams gunning for the title and with all the extra needle you’d expect.

But perhaps there’s one thing that may take the edge off.

Spireites boss Paul Cook won’t be in the Chesterfield dug-out following his red card against Scunthorpe United.

The 55-year-old served the second of his two-match touchline ban after sitting out the FA Cup third-round replay defeat to West Brom.

County boss Luke Williams says he will miss his opposite number on the sideline ahead of the top-of-the-table clash at the Technique Stadium this Saturday.

"I think that his group will certainly miss him from the touchline, that's for sure," he told NottinghamLive.

"Honestly, my staff will miss him as well because he is a great guy and it's a pleasure to be in the opposite dugout.

"I will say for sure that his lack of presence will be felt because he is a big personality.

"Maybe in one or two moments he may be able to have a bigger influence from the touchline, but I am sure his staff and himself will be in contact to make any big changes if they are needed.

"But I do think it is a real shame for the game, to be honest."

Chesterfield trail the Magpies by 13 points and even if the host have four games in hand, their fans will know the importance of not losing at the very least.

Assistant manager Danny Webb says his team must shake off their no show at West Brom in midweek and fast.

The disappointing 4-0 defeat saw the club exit the FA Cup but they proved in the first game they’re a match for anyone.

Webb told the Derbyshire Times: “We have got to try and do now is take the negatives and the positives from this and take it into Notts County.

“There is no point making mistakes if you are not going to learn from them.

“It is a massive game, huge game. There will probably be 10,000 there. “We have got a lot of games in hand now because of this cup run but there is no point having them if you don’t win them.”

But Notts have lost just once this season and he knows to have any chance of making it two Chesterfield need to be on the top of their game.

“We have got a bit of pressure on us, we have got to try and get some points on the board because the teams above us have got the points but not the games,” he adds.

“I always believe that if you have got more than one or two games in hand you are probably better off having the games.

“Some people think it is better off having the points in the bag but with the amount of games we have got I am glad we have got them.”

BT Sport’s coverage gets underway at 5pm on Saturday