Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough will be sweating on the fitness of quartet Will Evans, Rhys Oates, Lucas Akins and Stephen McLaughlin before naming his side to face Wycombe Wanderers at home on Saturday.

Although Stags are getting players back from their lengthy injury list, it seems as soon as one comes back another is out at the moment.

Evans had a swollen ankle and missed out on Tuesday night's fin3e 1-1 away draw at Plymouth Argyle while McLaughlin was laid up ill.

Both Akins and Oates then had to come off with injury on a night when Dejo Oshliaja ended up being pushed into a holding midfield role and Stags going to four at the back.

Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough - sweating on fitness of quartet for Saturday Photo credit Chris & Jeanette Holloway / The Bigger Picture.media

placeholder image — Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough - sweating on fitness of quartet for Saturday Photo credit Chris & Jeanette Holloway / The Bigger Picture.media

But, at least bringing in three new faces and still chasing a fourth before the weekend has given Clough good options.

He prefers to go with three at the back and wing backs and I that is still a good option for Saturday with Kyle Knoyle back fit and likely to start at right wing back if Akins is injured unless Elliott Hewitt gets the nod over him.

Oshilaja, Ryan Sweeney and Baily Cargill are likely to be the central trio with either McLaughlin or Frazer Blake-Tracy on the left.

If Oshilaja's grit is preferred in midfield then Hewitt or Blake-Tracy could play in the back three too, but I doubt that will happen.

Louis Reed is again suspended so Aaron Lewis and Regan Hendry could remain as the holding pair, though Jon Russell could also start in there either defensively or further forward.

Another possibility is that, with transfer deadline on the horizon on Monday, Clough will identify and bring in a replacement for the departed Jamie McDonnell before the weekend and put them straight into the side.

Oliver Irow did enough to suggest he will start again to give width and, if Evans and Oates are both ruled out, then Luke Bolton may get another chance to start on the other flank.

Also, with Oates and Evans out then new signing Victor Adeboyejo may get a first start up front.

With so many games coming up Clough will not risk starting anyone with a knock that could put them out even longer.

So a possible starting line-up is: Roberts; Oshilaja, Sweeney, Cargill; Knoyle, Collins, Hendry, Blake-Tracy; Irow, Bolton; Adeboyejo.