City boss Colin Todd has urged his players to keep believing in themselves following their horror weekend.

Defeats at home to Bournemouth last Saturday and at Blackpool on Monday came as a tremendous shock.

Todd said: "We are conceding stupid goals and that must stop, but we are playing well enough to win games.

"It is a test of character for us against Chesterfield, but I have certainly not lost faith and belief in the players. I have told them they have to keep pulling together."

Todd has an horrendous list of injuries to contend with.

Definitely out are Donovan Ricketts, Steve Schumacher, Danny Cadamarteri and Bobby Petta. Darren Holloway is also struggling with an ankle injury and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson has been added to the squad despite suffering from a cartilage injury.

Todd said: "Donovan Ricketts is out for about six weeks with a broken bone in his foot. But there was no rush to get in a loan replacement. I can get one any time - the window doesn't close on that one.

"Schumacher is likely to be out for three weeks while Petta has a hamstring strain and will not be ready for this evening. Cadamarteri has a hamstring problem and he will not be ready either."

But an upbeat Todd added: "I am down to the bare bones but I have players who can come in. I have a team which I can put out there. It's amazing, we have gone through pre-season and now the tide has turned against us.

"However, it provides opportunities for players and they must grasp these

opportunities. We have got to make sure we dig in and get a result tonight."

Dean Windass, who turned down a big-money move to Wigan last week, will not be moved back into midfield as a stop-gap.

But it is possible that 39-year-old new signing Steve Claridge will get a start up front alongside him.