Nicky Maynard could return for Mansfield Town's Boxing Day clash at Scunthorpe United

Striker Nicky Maynard could return to Mansfield Town's squd in time for Boxing Day's crunch Boxing Day clash at Scunthorpe United.

The former West ham United and Bristol City attacker has missed the Stags' last two matches due to an injury picked up in the 1-1 draw at Grimsby Town, where he netted the away side's equaliser.

It was hoped he would be fit for Saturday's 1-1 draw with Southend United at One Call Stadium after he returned to training, only to suffer a setback.

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"He started to train (on Friday), and he slipped at the end of the warm-up and felt his hamstring a little bit," said manager Nigel Clough.

“It sort of cramped up, but hopefully it won’t be too bad. He might be available for next week.

"Hopefully, yes (for Boxing Day). Certainly sometime over the Christmas period, but we hope for next week. He was all ready to train, the dead leg was fine. So it’s unfortunately just one of those things in training.”

Maynard has netted four times for Town so far this season.

Victory at Glanford Park on Saturday would see the Stags, currently 20th in League Two, leapfrog their 18th-placed hosts.

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Town trail the Iron by three points, having played one game more, but have a superior goal difference.

Boxing Day's contest, which could see defender James Perch face his former club, will kick off at 1pm.

The Stags will also be in action on Tuesday evening as they host Salford City (KO 7pm).

Jordan Bowery secured a point against the Shrimpers on Saturday.

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He was the hosts’ biggest goal threat over the 90 minutes, hitting the side netting and seeing an effort deflected onto the bar before his 79th minute drive pulled the scores level, helping the Stags bounce back from last Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat at highflying Carlisle.

Arsenal loanee James Olayinka had fired Southend in front in what Clough labelled the ‘worst’ 45 minutes of football the Stags had played since his arrival.

“It was a massive opportunity missed to get three points and our first home win in the league,” he said. ““That was by far the worst (half) we’ve had since we’ve been here and we were unbelievably disappointed."