THERE is strong speculation that experienced midfielder Curtis Woodhouse will become new Stags manager David Holdsworth's first signing.
Woodhouse (28), currently captain at Rushden but on the transfer list, played with Holdsworth at both Sheffield United and Birmingham.
Website rumours suggest that Rushen manager Garry Hill said on New Year's Day the deal would be announced on Friday.
Meamwhile, the Stags have confirmed that full back James Kay has been offered an 18-month contract. Kay joined on a non-contract basis from Sheffield Wednesday under previous manager Billy McEwan and since being handed his debut by caretaker managers Mark Stallard and Adie Moses has impressed. A decision on the future of loan keeper Paddy Gamble is expected today. Gamble is currently at the end of a three-month loan from Nottingham Forest.Woodhouse would be seen as a replacement for Tranmere midfielder Adman Ahmed, who returned to Prenton Park from Field Mill on New Year's Eve after his loan spell was not extended for a third month.
- Ahmed's loan spell at Stags is over
A former England U21 international, Woodhouse did not feature in Rushden's New Year's Day 1-1 draw with Stevenage and has been told he can leave the Diamonds ahead of the end of his two-year contract this summer.
He started his career at Sheffield United in 1997 and was transferred to Birmingham for £1m in 2001.
He has played more than 300 first team matches for the Blades, Birmingham, Rotherham, Peterbrough, Hull, Grimsby and now Rushden.
- Click here to read sports editor John Lomas' review of 2008 at Field Mill
Woodhouse is also well known for his boxing career, for which he briefly quit football late in 2006.
Since then he has combined boxing and football and was made captain at Rushen last summer, halfway through a two-year contract.
In his professional boxing career he has won all of nine fights as a welterweight.
