FOOTBALL RUMOURS: Mansfield Town linked with move for Notts County youngster Fabian Spiess

They are looking very short up front, in defence and also need two keepers, unless they go for a youth back-up.

Up front supporters continue to pray former hit man Matt Green might return from Birmingham City, but one would imagine the gulf in wages would be a chasm, despite his love for the Stags.

The 28-year-old was one of eight players released by Blues at the end of the season and is now looking for a new club.

He does so having not played a first team match since October 2013 following a serious knee injury.

Vadaine Oliver (23) has been released by Crewe after spending the second half of the season on loan at Stags where he faded after an impressive start, though suffered from poor service.

The former Sheffield Wednesday trainee scored seven League goals in his 23 starts and wins a lot in the air as well as being far more mobile than Rhead ever was. Fans seem divided about the prospect of the club taking him back full-time.

Talks continue with Liam Hearn and Rakish Bingham about staying on at the club.

As far as a goalkeeper is concerned, Lenny Pidgeley, who ended the season on loan from Newport, has been released by the Exiles and is available if wanted. Again fans don’t seem too keen.

Lewis Price, who impressed on loan from Crystal Palace the previous year, has been out on Crawley on loan and could be released when his contract at Selhurst Park expires next month.

Stags were also linked with talented Notts County youngster Fabian Spiess, who has recently trained at Liverpool, and his name has appeared on the rumour mill once more. Maybe he is destined for higher things?

Then you have Leicester City’s impressive youngster Adam Smith, who did well on loan for Stags at the turn of the year and has been on the Foxes’ Premier league bench nine times this season. Fans are wondering if Leicester will be looking to get him out again on loan next season.

Rumours that Newport midfielder Adam Chapman was on his way back to Mansfield, after a loan spell there in 2013, proved absolutely spot on last week as he signed a deal to join the Stags.

Phil Brown saluted Michael Timlin after the brave midfielder defied his horrific head injury to fire Southend to Wembley in League Two play-off final CLICK HERE (Sky Sports)

Premier League giants Arsenal have reportedly won the race to sign 11-year-old Luton Town starlet Charlie Patino CLICK HERE (Luton Today)

Cobblers manager Chris Wilder says he is aiming to ‘run with a squad of 21 or 22 players’ at Sixfields next season CLICK HERE (Northampton Chronicle)

Iain McInnes has admitted Pompey are bracing themselves for clubs to activate Jed Wallace’s contract clause CLICK HERE (Portsmouth News)