Armand enjoying game time

Chesterfield striker Armand Gnanduillet knows he is benefiting from playing regular first-team football.

Gnanduillet has been showing signs during the summer of realising his potential. He remains something of a rough diamond but under the tutelage of manager Paul Cook and his coaching staff he has improved significantly since his arrival at the club in January 2013.

The 22-year-old, who contributed six goals in 39 appearances as the Spireites lifted the League Two title last season, has enjoyed a productive pre-season with some good performances in Chesterfield's friendly matches - most notably scoring a first-half hat-trick at Alfreton.

He feels the run of games has been good for his confidence, telling Press Association Sport: "I feel better than this time last year, because I have played.

"I am sharp, I am ready for the reason, I am ready to start, and I am ready to do well - there is no reason why I can't do well.

"Pre-season is behind us now and it is important we look forward and focus on the league. I am confident because of the summer (I have had) but I know I must carry that form into the season - when it really matters.

"Hopefully I can get into double figures for goals, but first of all I am focussed on getting in the team regularly."

Chesterfield begin life back in League One with a trip to last season's play-off finalists Leyton Orient.

There are not many tougher assignments on the opening day, but Gnanduillet feels playing one of the division's fancied teams early on could work in the Spireites' favour.

"Leyton Orient is a club I knew from when I was in France," he said. "It will be tough, they are a good team with good players but I also think we are good enough.

"When we play a higher team, like Leeds and Aston Villa in pre-season, we seem to look sharper and better whereas against lower teams sometimes we are not that good.

"So it is better for us to start against Leyton Orient because they are one the better teams. However, we should not be scared of them and we must play our football because that way we will have a good chance."