SPIREITES: New signings will add something to Chesterfield FC squad, says Danny Wilson

The Spireites boss bolstered his ranks with the additions of versatile Gary Liddle, defender Tom Anderson and midfielder Connor Dimaio on a busy transfer deadline day for the club.

And, following news that defensive duo Ian Evatt (Achilles) and Charlie Raglan (hernia) are expected to be out for at least four weeks, the reinforcements have made a timely arrival.

Wilson revealed that the decision to let Raglan undergo surgery for a hernia injury he has been carrying for the last month was due to the work done in the transfer market on Monday.

“Charlie’s been carrying a hernia for the last four or five weeks and it has just got gradually worse unfortunately,” said Wilson. “It’s impinged on his training, he’s certainly felt it when he’s been playing games.

“We had two options; one was to carry on with him and let him play 70 per cent and hopefully he gets through the games, or he gets it done and comes back 100 per cent fit and raring to go.

“For me that was the decision to take. Let him go and have it done and in three or four weeks he’ll be back again and firing on all cylinders.”

He added: “It was great that we had someone with the experience of Gary to come in and the youthfulness of Tom. I think we’ve done well. All three are very different players in their own way.”

Experienced Liddle, 29, joined from Bradford City for an undisclosed fee on a long term contract, reported to be two-and-a-half years, and can play in midfield or defence.

“I think the versatility of Gary Liddle was a big decision from my point of view to bring him in. He plays all positions as well as each other,” said Wilson.

“He’s a very consistent player. He’s a seven out of ten every week no matter where he plays. He won’t be one of those players that shows flashes of brilliance. He’s a ‘Steady Eddie’ all the time.

“Someone who you can rely on all the time and is exactly what we want.”

Anderson, a 22-year-old defender, has arrived on a loan from Burnley until the end of the season on recommendation from former Spireite Sean Dyche, manager at Turf Moor.

Wilson said: “Young Tom is an unknown entity at the moment. He’s been highly recommended from a good friend of ours and a good friend of the club’s in Sean Dyche at Burnley.

“We all know how uncompromising Sean could be when he played. He speaks very highly of young Tom in a similar vein. He’s untried but you’ve got to try someone at some time.

“You don’t know how good they are until you put them in. He looks the part. He’s a young lad at the start of his career let’s hope he can start on the right foot here.”

While Chesterfield-born Dimaio, 20, has been on trial at the Proact for the past few weeks and has signed a deal until the end of the season after his release from Sheffield United.

“Connor has sort of gone under the radar unfortunately for him but I’ve put him on it now,” said Wilson. “He’s been exceptional since he’s been training with us the last four weeks or so.

“He’s deserved a contract until the end of the season so we can have a good look at him. He’ll be in and around the first team and hopefully when he’s called upon he can show us what his worth is.”

He added: “All three of them will be good acquisitions to the club and bulks the squad up a bit which is what we needed.”

Chris Herd (illness) and Ollie Banks (groin) are back in contention for the arrival of Peterborough United to the Proact Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick off) while Dan Jones is still sidelined.