Chesterfield manager Lee Richardson has called for changes after team captain Aaron Downes travelled to the other side of the world to watch two Australian Under 23's internationals from the subs bench.

Lee Richardson said: "It can't be right that a player travels all the way to Australia for a couple of Internationals and takes no part at all. 

"I feel there has been a lack of respect of the club's needs by the Australian Football Federation. 

"If they weren't going to select him for any of the games then he should have been released, especially after the first game, to travel back to the UK to prepare for our important game against Mansfield this weekend."

"It means our team captain is missing vital league games in England to just warm the bench in Australia. 

"I hope this snub is not due to him not being able to travel to Qatar for the international against Iraq last month on medical advice following a serious head injury sustained in the Stockport game. 

"The Australians were very keen for him to travel on that occasion so I am bewildered why he has been allowed to make this long and, on the face of it, fruitless journey right to the other side of the World.

"By missing the Bury game he missed the opportunity to display his skills to the posse of Premiership scouts who were in attendance.

"I will be contacting the Australian Football Federation to express my displeasure and will be looking for a proper explanation."

The Qantas Under 23's in the end won both of the games in question, beating DPR Korea 1-0 and Lebanon 3-0.