'Not back for Saturday': Mansfield Town looking at more injury concerns after Reading defeat
Nigel Clough has shed some light on the player absences against Reading in League One on Wednesday.
The Mansfield Town manager made six changes to his side that beat Luton Town on Sunday. While some were rotational decisions, others were forced through fresh injury concerns within the squad.
Last game’s front two, Michael Smith and Regan Hendry, both dropped to the bench while Rhys Oates and David McGoldrick led the line against Reading. Lucas Akins, Elliott Hewitt and Owen Dodgson were also given the nod to start in Berkshire.
Harry Lewis started in goal due to Liam Roberts requiring stitches in his foot after an incident during the Luton clash. Roberts required treatment after being clattered by Gideon Kodua at the One Call Stadium, who picked up a yellow card for his foul.
Jon Russell was also absent from the match-day squad, resulting in Nathan Moriah-Welsh playing as a central midfielder, which was clearly not a comfortable position for him.
Stephen McLaughlin had been named on the bench but he didn’t even make it that far as he picked up an ankle injury during the warm-up. His spot among the substitutes was filled by George Maris instead.
Clough described it as ‘three blows before kick-off’, and gave some updates on the players who missed out ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bradford City.
“Liam had a couple of stitches, it was a nasty little challenge on Sunday that caught him. He’s had a couple of stitches right on the top of his left foot, so we’ll see how he settles down. If not, Harry will play on Saturday,” Clough told club media after the match.
“Jon Russell has had a scan, he’s got a hamstring strain so not quite sure how long with him, but certainly not back for Saturday. We’re a bit light in midfield.”
Stags announced the signing of returning loanee George Abbott until the end of the season to patch up their midfield options, but he arrives at the club still recovering from injury, and will not be available until after the international break.
That rules both Abbott and Russell out of the Bradford game, along with Baily Cargill, who is also looking at a post-international break return. Roberts will be assessed, while no indication on whether McLaughlin will be fit in time was given.
Little information has been given on Jordan Bowery but he has been ruled unavailable through injury and is yet to make an appearance this season.
A positive on the injury front was the return of McGoldrick to the starting line-up, having been absent for the Doncaster and Peterborough games. Tyler Roberts also got a run out after coming off the bench against Reading for his first League One appearance this season. Luke Bolton has now made consecutive appearances after a lengthy spell on the side-lines as well.