D'AURIA SIDELINED BY HORROR TACKLE

DAVID D'AURIA will miss the opening months of the new season after falling victim to a horrendous challenge from Curtis Woodhouse during Chesterfield's 3-0 friendly defeat at the hands of Birmingham City.

Woodhouse (pictured) was asked to leave the pitch as Chesterfield players leapt to the defence of the injured Welshman, who was making his comeback appearance having recovered from a previous injury.

The incident occurred when the former Sheffield United star launched a disgraceful two-footed challenge on D'Auria which left him writhing in agony on the ground.

It later emerged that the 31-year-old, who recently completed a course qualifying him as a bricklayer in preparation for his retirement from the game, suffered damage to his medial ligament as a result of the tackle.

"At this stage of the season this is a massive blow to us," said Spireites boss Nicky Law. "Especially with the small squad we've got. It's the last thing we could have done with as David was standing out against top class opposition."

It is thought that D'Auria will now be sidelined for at least eight weeks.