Rai Simons’ eagerly awaited summer break back home in Bermuda has been delayed because of a ruptured Achilles tendon that required surgery.

And when he returns home at the end of the month he will have to travel most of the trip on a cruise ship as he has been advised by doctors not to fly more than four hours. Simons will travel by boat to New York and then fly on to Bermuda.

The Chesterfield striker had a disappointing end to the season when he picked up the injury in the 34th minute of the 3-1 defeat by Scunthorpe United on April 17, when Chesterfield’s relegation to League Two was confirmed.

Simons had surgery about a week ago and his leg is now in a cast as he recovers from the injury. Once the cast is removed he will wear a boot for a few more weeks.

That he has been offered a new contract by the club is good news for Simons, who has endured an up-and-down season.

“His spirits are high, he’s always positive about everything,” said his mother, Karen. “On a WhatsApp chat with family he was like ‘oh hi, just want to let you know I’m injured, ruptured my Achilles’, all calm and cool.

“The club was supportive, team-mates were great and the hospital in Manchester where he had the surgery done was great. It was a bit of an ordeal but he just handled his business. He said these things happen ‘but my mentality is I’ll come back stronger’.”

Simons, who signed for Chesterfield from non-league club Ilkeston on a two-year contract in April 2015, was one of four out-of-contract players to be offered new deals by the club.

A total of 12 players will leave the Proact Stadium, including veteran striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, as the club rebuilds ahead of their Sky Bet League Two campaign next season.

Manager Gary Caldwell, who was appointed to the post in January, feels that Simons can make an impact next season once he plays more regularly.

Simons has made 46 appearances for the club over two seasons.

However, there is no place in Caldwell’s plans for New Zealand international Liam Graham or goalkeepers Thorsten Stuckmann and Lloyd Allinson.

Youngsters Curtis Morrison and Jake Beesley will also be looking for new clubs, while Sadiq El Fitouri — recently disciplined for going Awol — has been released.