Chesterfield: Spireites dealt a blow as Ian Evatt faces lengthy lay off

Ian Evatt picked up the Achilles injury against Coventry at the end of December

The full extent of the injury, picked up against Coventry on December 28, has only just come to light after a visit to a specialist in London.

It had been initially thought that the 34 year-old would be out of action for a few weeks, but having felt pain when attempting to run again, the specialist discovered a linear tear of the Achilles tendon.

As a result Evatt will now have to wear a special boot for four weeks to allow the injury to heal and then it will take another four weeks of rehabilitation before he is able to train again.

“Unfortunately the initial MRI scans didn’t show the full extent of Evo’s injury,” said Head of sports science and medicine, Rodger Wylde.

“After the pain returned when he started running last week we decided to see a Achilles injury specialist in London, with the appointment booked in for Monday.

“The specialist scanned the Achilles area with an high-definition ultrasound scanner and was able to detect a linear tear of the Achilles tendon.

“Evo was injected with a special sugar solution and is now in a boot with a specifically raised heel. He’ll spend four weeks wearing the boot and we’ll then go back and see the specialist.

“All being well at that check-up we’d expect another four weeks or so after the removal of the boot before we can start the exercise part of the rehab.”