Mansfield Town hunt on for replacement after Jamie McDonnell departure
Mansfield Town have begun a hunt for a replacement for Nottingham Forest loanee Jamie McDonnell after the defensive midfield star was recalled for a big money move to Championship side Oxford United this week.
But with less than two weeks to go until the window closes, Stags boss Nigel Clough is happy to go with what he's got if nothing materialises.
“Forest recalled him on Thursday and we always knew it would be a possibility in January as he has done so well,” said Clough.
“So we thank him for his time with us and wish him all the best at his new club.
“Forest have been great and straight with us all along, saying this might happen. We move on.
“He has been brilliant and supporters loved him for his dynamism and going around tackling and heading everything.
“I hope we have helped him get his move to the Championship.”
He added: “We will have a look around and see if there is anything similar worth bringing in.
“It's unlikely as there are not many out there like him.
“We have a very good squad and it's just about who can do that job.
“We have no problem with Aaron Lewis doing it.
“George Maris has played there but would rather play further forward.
“It's after that if Aaron or Louis Reed get a knock. Who would go in there to replace them?
“We are having a chat about it this week. But they have to be good enough and a bit different to what we've got.
“We have quite a lot of attacking midfielders.
“It is a specialist position and we said when we brought in Jamie, there are not too many out there with his attributes and that is still the case.
“If there is one we will pursue it.
“That could be the end of our January business then. But if we don't get one, we don't get one and we will go with what we have got. We are happy with that.
“I think we've said all along we were pleased with the squad going back to August.
“Unfortunately our squad has been decimated by injuries, so we have had to do a bit of January business, which we have been pleased with so far with the three lads in.
“But there is always scope for another if something good enough pops up.”
Stags head for Stevenage on Saturday aiming to stretch their winning run to six games.
“The next week – Stevenage away, Plymouth away and Wycombe at home, it is a big week and a tough week,” said Clough.