Rai Simons has been praised by Gary Caldwell, the Chesterfield manager, who believes the Bermuda striker has plenty more to offer.

Caldwell, a former Scotland defender — who was appointed as Chesterfield manager in January — has been impressed with Simons since he returned to the starting line-up at home to Peterborough United last week.

The 21-year-old, who has made 18 appearances for the League One side this season, set up Sylvan Ebanks-Blake for the opener and had a touch before Kristian Dennis scored his goal in the 3-3 draw.

Simons also played 72 minutes in Chesterfield’s 2-1 defeat away to Bristol Rovers last weekend.

Caldwell said Simons’s powerful, direct running caused Peterborough United a plethora of problems and has challenged the player to add greater consistency to his game.

The decision to give the striker a chance — having not featured since February 25 at home to Oxford United — followed an improvement in his work on the training pitch.

But the manager has encouraged Simons to ensure his performances in training remain consistent.

Caldwell said consistency in training is the key to staying involved with the first team.

“I said now I don’t want to see the standards drop again if you drop out of the team again,” Caldwell told The Star.

“You maintain the standards every day, that keeps you in the team and keeps you playing.

“I think he can get better, physically he can still improve and once he plays games regularly he will improve.”

Chesterfield are 23rd in the table ten points adrift of safety with seven games remaining.

Chesterfield are at home to mid-table Rochdale on Saturday.