International break well-timed as Mansfield Town’s tired heroes get ready to push on with winning run

Players had the chance to get their feet up this week and injured players more time to get closer to a return, though Clough admitted the long journeys for Keanu Baccus (Australia) and Ben Waine (New Zealand) would probably see them start on the bench at best against Stevenage on Saturday.

Christy Pym was also on Northern Ireland duty for the first time while injury eventually saw Lucas Akins miss out on linking up with Grenada.

“It was a good time for a break after all the efforts of the last few weeks and the fantastic results we have had,” said Clough.

“I know we were winning games. But the effort that has gone into those five games has been incredible. So we needed a few days break.

“It also buys us another week to get the injured players a little bit closer to fitness.

“We ended up having four players called up with Christy getting the call from Northern Ireland.

“To finally get international recognition at 29 is probably long overdue.

“I think they were made aware that Christy would be available and was eligible and it went from there.

“It is great recognition of how good he has been, not just the last year or two but before that as well.

“In his time at Exeter and Peterborough he has been a very good solid goalkeeper.

“We were not aware he was eligible for Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Canada as well.

“He is still eligible for the others until he plays a game and makes his senior debut.

“We expect them all back here on Friday and we can assess the extent of the jet lag they have.

“But it's unlikely they will be ready to start on Saturday as it's a long old haul to go there and back within 10 days and play a game or two as well. It's a big ask of them.

“Lucas did not link up with Grenada in the end. He spoke to them and was hoping to be ready for their second game, but they decided it wasn't worth the risk with the flight and everything, and he won't be ready for the weekend either.”

On his other injured stars, he said: “They are all coming back in dribs and drabs – how many may be available for Saturday I am not sure.

“They are all close to being back in training in the next week or two.

“Lee Gregory is down to train before the end of the week and we'll see how he is and Aden Flint will be back on the grass soon.

“Lee has a chance for Saturday. We don't want to be without our leading scorer for long. But having games with Wigan and Birmingham coming up, the one thing we can't afford is to lose him for five or six weeks.

“Baily Cargill will be back towards the end of the week.

“We have a reserve game against Bolton this week so Alfie Kilgour, George Maris, back from illness, will feature and Frazer Blake-Tracy will play 45-60 minutes.

“Rhys Oates still has to hit a couple of targets strength-wise. It's important with cruciate injuries and is just a little short of a bit of strength.

“He will be tested again in three weeks and can't join in until he has reached that required target.”