Stags will field strongest side for JPT tie

Paul Cox said he will play his strongest side for tomorrow night’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Northern Section first round derby at Notts County.
Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox.Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox.
Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox.

In truth, Cox has few options open to him due to injuries right now, but said Stags were heading to Meadow Lane aiming to win the game for what could be as many as 1,000 travelling Stags fans.

“I want to win the game and will play the strongest side I can,” said Cox. “It would be a bit disrespectful to the cup and both sets of supporters if we didn’t.

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“I will have a look at what I have got to play with once the physio gives me the injured list.

“But I only had 18 fit players on Saturday so there’s not a lot I can do.

“We have just had two defeats and we want to get back on the horse as quickly as possible and win a game. We know it will be tough. Notts were beaten on Sunday but have been on decent run and it’s always a tough place to go.

“It will be a million miles from when we beat them pre-season.

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“We are not far off right now. We lost to the top of the table on Saturday and the basics are we need to put our chances away and stop making simple errors that cost you.

“This is a cup game and a local derby. Our fans want to have bragging rights as do Notts County. Any local derby is full of passion and commitment and I don’t want anything less from my players.”

It will be a nostalgic return to his old club for the manager, who added: “I had some really good years at Notts – nearly 10 years from apprentice all the way through.

“I was getting called out of school to play in reserve and youth team games as a schoolboy and I have a lot of fond memories.

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“I always look for their results – you can’t help that. But tomorrow I am Mansfield Town manager and have to be professional and do my job to win a football match.”

John Dempster will miss the game with a groin strain, though thankfully scans have shown it is not a hernia and he will be back in a week, while fellow centre half Luke Jones has had an injection into his ankle injury and could also be available in a week.