SUSPENDED Town skipper Jon Worthington is backing the club's young first-team line-up to finish the season strongly.
Despite the misery of the 2-0 derby defeat at Bradford, Worthington is confident Town can end a run of six straight away defeats when they travel to Chesterfield on Saturday.
While manager Peter Jackson checks on injuries to Nathan Clarke (knee), Michael Collins (ankle) and David Mirfin (calf), Worthington starts a two-match ban at Saltergate after picking up a 10th booking of the campaign at Valley Parade, where goals by Andy Cooke and Dean Windass dropped Town to 14th in the League I table.
"We don't feel we've deserved to be beaten in either game against Bradford this season but that's football, you get over the disappointment and you move on," said Worthington today.
"All of us are sick about the result, but we will regroup, we will be up for the next match and the lads will push on strongly for the rest of the season.
"Expectations are always high after a promotion, but if you think of how far we've come and the players we have blooded into the team, especially recently, then I think we can take a lot of positives for the future.
"The lads who have come into the side can only learn and get better and, while it's mathematical to achieve something this season we will go for it. We will aim to finish as high as we can and, wherever that is, I think we've got a lot to look forward to next season."
Worthington misses Saltergate and the following Galpharm meeting with Stockport County, when Town need points to cement a mid-table slot.
"I don't want to miss any games, but at least I should be refreshed for the run-in," added the skipper.
"The most important thing is that the lads bounce back immediately from the disappointment of losing the derby - one in which we had some good chances - and I'm sure they will do that at Chesterfield."
