Patient Mansfield Town still awaiting all-clear for return of Joe Gardner
Mansfield Town are remaining patient over the fitness of Nottingham Forest loanee striker Joe Gardner, who has been missing since late November with concussion-like symptoms.
The 20-year-old has been unable to shake off the issue and is back under the care of parent club Forest.
“We are just waiting for the specialists to give him the all-clear,” said Stags manager Nigel Clough..
“He keeps getting headaches or a bit of fogginess and, quite rightly, until that has cleared we have to wait.
“He can do certain things and join in as a floater non-contact.
“But it has been hugely frustrating for him.
“We have good chats with him and Forest about what to do in the next three months to the end of the season and we all agreed we are happy for him to stay and he will try to get fit and back in the squad.
“He knows he is going to be a bit behind and down the pecking order.
“But with him being out since the start of November, he knows it's best for him to stay with us.
“They are not quite sure what is wrong. But we are very conscious it is a young player with a head injury or symptoms of concussion or whatever and we are totally in their hands.
“We will be as cautious as we need to be with him.”