JACK Lester’s place in the technical area and not the penalty area is something that John Coleman is relieved about.

For Lester was a prominent figure in matches between Accrington Stanley and Chesterfield - usually on the scoresheet.

The 42-year-old, who succeeded Gary Caldwell as manager of the Spireites in September, has four goals in nine meetings with the Reds between 2008 and 2013. And it is a statistic that sticks in Coleman’s mind.

“I’m just glad he’s not playing because he used to always score against us to be honest,” said the Reds boss of Lester, whose first managerial job is a baptism of fire, trying to steer Chesterfield out of trouble.

The Spireites have not won since beating Barnet on December 9, going on to lose four and draw one. But having just emerged from their own dip in form, with a win at Grimsby to round off 2017, Coleman is not taking Chesterfield’s current struggle for granted.

“They’ve got good players and on any given day they’re capable of beating you, like anyone is in this league,” he said.

“We certainly won’t be taking them lightly. We know they can be dangerous and I’ve seen some games where they’ve been really unfortunate to lose, like the last time they played Morecambe.

“We know that every game we play is going to be difficult and Chesterfield is going to be no different.”

And Coleman feels his counterpart is well prepared for the challenge.

“He’s done a little bit of an apprenticeship elsewhere so he’s used to dealing with players,” he said of Lester, who managed Nottingham Forest Under 18s and Under 23s after hanging up his boots.

“He knows a lot about the game, he’s no stranger to this level as well.

“But if you get the right XI on the pitch and they’re all at it at the same time the manager’s influence becomes watered down somewhat.”

Coleman will again be without injured captain Seamus Conneely, who is struggling to shake off a groin problem, while Erico Sousa is not expected to return to training until next week.

Chesterfield are set to make changes after yesterday signing former West Ham and Burnley winger Zavon Hines from Maidstone United and defender Sid Nelson on loan from Millwall until the end of the season.