Mansfield Town

Defender looks ahead to next game and reflects on first fortnight in Mansfield.

Loanee centre-back Jamie Sendles-White believes we have what it takes to pick up points, when we go head-to-head with York City at Bootham Crescent on Saturday.

Several players missed Tuesday’s goalless draw at Tranmere Rovers, due to an injury list which has affected manager Paul Cox’s selection plans in recent weeks.

However, our injury-hit squad will be boosted by the return of skipper Adam Murray for this weekend’s match. The 33-year-old is available again following a three-match ban.

Our team currently occupy 17th position in Sky Bet League Two, though a win in North Yorkshire could see us jump into the top half of the table.

Looking ahead to the match, Sendles-White said: “They’ve got a new manager, so they’ll have a lot to prove, but I think that we’ve got enough quality to go there and get a win.

In recent years, our team have been involved in some full-blooded, ferocious battles with the Minstermen.

After a gripping two-legged tussle in the Conference Premier Play-Offs in 2012, from which York emerged victorious, we gained revenge by taking all three points in a fiery contest at Bootham Crescent last term.

York were then winners in the next, and most recent, meeting, when they achieved a 1-0 success at One Call Stadium in March, courtesy of a hotly-disputed first half penalty by Ryan Bowman.

“As a player, that’s what you want,” continued the Northern Ireland youth international. “You want it to be physical and you want it to be a battle. I’m looking forward to it and I know the lads are as well.

Since Sendles-White joined us earlier this month, our side have been involved in three successive draws – including a stalemate with Tranmere Rovers at a windswept Prenton Park on Tuesday evening.

“It was disgusting really,” said the defender. “It was freezing and the rain and wind didn’t really make for a good game of football, but we dealt with it well.

“It was always going to be tough with their new manager coming in. They had a new loan signing who had something to prove, but I thought we did well to keep them out.”

The youngster also had complimentary words for Swiss shot-stopper Sascha Studer: “He’s been on top form. He’s made some great saves and he’s looking really confident at the minute, as is the whole back three.

“’Riles’ [Martin Riley] and ‘Sutts’ [Ritchie Sutton] are also doing well and putting a good shift in.”

Analysing his first few weeks with us, Sendles-White said: “From a personal point of view, it’s been good. Obviously, as a defender keeping clean-sheets and keeping the other team out is the most important thing.

“We’d like to be scoring more goals, but I’m sure that will come.

“We just need to turn these draws into wins, but we’ve got enough quality and with the players coming back, that will come and we’ll be fine.

“I get on with the lads, so settling in hasn’t been a problem. I haven’t heard anything or spoke to the gaffer [about extending my loan], but if the opportunity came up, I’d take it.”

Today's interview with Jamie Sendles-White is available on Stags Player now. To subscribe, click here.