Striker Jake Speight could return to the team for our Blue Square Bet Premier clash against Southport at One Call Stadium on Saturday.
Speaking at his weekly press conference, manager Paul Cox confirmed that the 27-year-old had a cortisone injection is his knee, which ruled him out of our midweek game at Nuneaton Town.Â
Our boss said: âIâm hoping Jake Speight will be back. He had an injection before the Nuneaton game, but he could be back for the game this weekend. If he is, then itâll be a massive plus for us.âÂ
Cox has also confirmed that midfielders Jamie Hand and Adam Murray have returned to training after their respective knee and ankle problems.Â
In other news, loanee goalkeeper Liam Mitchell has returned to parent club Notts County, whilst midfielder Solomon Taiwo has been released from his contract with us.Â
Mitchell registered two clean sheets from his three appearances for us, and Taiwo featured for the only time in a Mansfield Town shirt during our defeat at Cambridge United.Â
Cox continued: âWeâre talking to Notts County about the possibility of extending Liamâs loan for another month, but weâre talking to other clubs as well.Â
âIt doesnât take a rocket scientist to work out that weâre light in that department at the moment, so we want to get someone in to put pressure on Shane Redmond.âÂ
Southport, our visitors to One Call Stadium this weekend, will be hoping to respond in a positive manner to the midweek home thrashing that they suffered to Wrexham.Â
The Sandgrounders, nevertheless, have scored in each of their last 11 league encounters and our boss expects that Liam Watsonâs side will possess a strong threat to us.Â
âLiamâs teams will always come and attack you. They will pose us a threat, but all I want to do is focus on our own strengths and take our performances to another level,â said Cox. Â
âI think the second half against Slough, and then on Tuesday night against Nuneaton, was somewhere close to where we performed last season.Â
âThe frustrating part was the chances we missed, but the overall performance and the football that we have played has been good. Â
âIâve questioned the desire and commitment at times, especially away from home, but the boys showed a lot of endeavour at Nuneaton. Afterwards, the dressing room was the best Iâve seen it this season.â
