New injury blow for Stags as Sutton breaks jaw

Mansfield Town suffered yet another injury blow today when they learned that defender Ritchie Sutton will be out for four to six weeks with a broken jaw.
Ritchie Sutton -Pic by: Richard ParkesRitchie Sutton -Pic by: Richard Parkes
Ritchie Sutton -Pic by: Richard Parkes

Sutton battled on at York after two bangs in the face during Saturday’s 1-1 draw, but when the pain didn’t subside after getting home, further investigation has shown a break.

Stags had nine first team players out injured last weekend and, amazingly, Sutton’s injury means that every central defender and striker the club began the season with is now on the treatment table.

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“I feel for Ritchie as he was having a half-decent season,” said manager Paul Cox. “But this just seems the norm now. I think everyone is fed up hearing about injuries. We get one back and lose two more.

“There always seems to be a down. Ritchie took a couple of blows to the face on Saturday, I don’t know how the referee didn’t see the second one.

“He went home and felt discomfort in his jaw and after having it looked at was told it was fractured and he will be out for four to six weeks now.”

Sutton’s absence means Cox will strive to persuade QPR to let him keep Jamie Sendles-White on an extended loan and also allow him to be cup-tied to play in the FA Cup a week on Saturday.

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Chris Clements and Ollie Palmer both came through 75 minutes of a behind-closed-doors friendly with the Nike Academy at Burton yesterday when Cox also took a look at some more trialists.

Cox is hopeful the pair plus Martin Riley (back spasm), Simon Heslop (foot) and Matt Rhead (hamstring) could all be back to boost his wafer-thin squad for Saturday’s home clash with Southend United.