Nigel Clough says new signing Owen Dodgson 'fits the bill' at Mansfield Town
New arrival Owen Dodgson will provide support and competition for Stephen McLaughlin in Mansfield Town’s left wing-back role.
Dodgson is the latest signing to arrive at the One Call Stadium, putting pen to paper ahead of Stags’ League One opener against Doncaster Rovers this weekend.
The 23-year-old joins on a season-long loan from Stockport County, having signed for the Greater Manchester side on a permanent basis earlier this summer.
Dodgson’s arrival comes following the sale of Will Evans to Plymouth Argyle. The Welshman has completed a two-year move to the Pilgrims, having expressed his desire to pursue a new chapter in his career.
“It’s been timed quite nicely actually. We got a call from his agent saying he may be available as Stockport have other options in that area. We were aware of him, he had an incredibly good season on loan at Burton a couple of seasons back. Good experience coming from Burnley as well,” Nigel Clough said in his mid-week press conference.
“Owen has come in as a result of Will Evans leaving. We were thinking about playing Will on the left-hand side as well as up front, so that was where we were light.
“We’ve only got Stephen McLaughlin really as a first choice wing-back out there but we wanted a natural left-footer and he fits the bill. I think him and Macca will share that role nicely.”
Clough said he is ‘very pleased’ with the club’s transfer business this window, which involved the arrivals of David McGoldrick, Michael Smith and Liam Thompson before Dodgson. Stags also brought Jon Russell back on a full-time basis.
When asked if this was the last of Stags’ new arrivals, Clough said: “I think so, unless something crops up. There’s always a possibility. We’ve had a couple of enquiries for players on loan so we’ll see if anything pans out there.”