Stags let loanee Blake return to Forest

Blake did not feature in Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat by Oxford United and only played in three of the six games played during his time at One Call Stadium.

“Jack is back at the City ground now,” said manager Paul Cox this morning.

“I spoke to the youngster yesterday and to Forest today. We have one or two bodies hopefully back from injury and it would be a bit unfair on the lad to extend the loan.

“The lad has done well for us and has lots of promise. But we have players here who are higher up the pecking order.”

Cox has still to make up his mind on Stoke loanee striker James Alabi, whose red card on his debut means he is spending his month on loan serving a three-game ban.

“James also has lots of promise. But I don’t want to bring someone in who is not going to be playing in the side week in, week out.

“We have brought Jake Speight back, who had scored five in six games for Alfreton, and Ross Dyer has scored three in four on his loan.

“I have to make sure I give contracted players the best opportunity I can to cement a place in the team before I go looking elsewhere.”