Chesterfield defender Sebastian Grimaldi is likely to be out of football for up to eight months with a serious career-threatening knee injury picked up in a training ground accident last week.

A scan has revealed that the Frenchman, whose short-term contract expires at the end-of-the-season in June, now requires surgery for damage to his anterior cruciate ligaments.

Sebastian Grimaldi

Caretaker boss Lee Richardson said: "We are really saddened by the news that Seb requires surgery and will be out of football for so long.  We hope he makes a full recovery."    

The club, which is sorting out the medical side before he returns to France for his rehabilitation, will continue to monitor the situation for the future."

Meanwhile, defender Kyle Critchell is awaiting the outcome of a scan on a troublesome groin strain picked up in the recent home game against Crewe.