Forward Rhys Oates says the squad is ‘raring to go’ as Stags prepare for a return to action this Saturday at home to MK Dons.
After exiting the Emirates FA Cup, Mansfield welcomed a restful last weekend as they get ready for a busy Christmas schedule which will see Nigel Clough’s men play six games in 24 days.
And Oates says the players are looking forward to a return to One Call Stadium this Saturday following a ten-day break.
“I can’t wait,” Oates said, speaking to iFollow Stags at a news conference on Tuesday morning.
“We’ve been so good at home this season and we’re unbeaten in the league at home.
“We probably need to turn a few of the draws into wins.
“The crowd have been amazing, getting behind us. We need to keep playing how we are and the wins will keep coming.”
Oates recently announced news that he has become a father for the first time, to son Oliver, and says the brief break from football had come at a good time: “It was nice and good to spend some time with the little man.
“I think I was back [playing] a week, two weeks before he was born so it’s been a crazy month really. It’s good to be back playing and have a healthy boy so it’s all good.
“I’ve been able to get my feet up and rest. Just little knocks that you get in games, it gives it time for your body to heal and rest, get your feet up and get back to it this week. We’ll be working hard for Saturday.”
The 29-year-old feels he is now edging closer to full fitness after a two-month spell on the sidelines through injury earlier in the season.
“I think I’m getting back to full fitness now,” he said. “It’s tough when you’ve been out for a couple of months to get match sharp. You can do all the running you want when you’re out on the training pitch but it’s nothing compared to match fitness so it’s good to play ninety minutes again.
“I think I’m getting back to how I was before the injury. There’s still a bit of a way to go and I just have to keep working at things. With the fitness side of it, I’m getting much fitter now. Once I get fitter, performances will get better. I just need to keep working. I’ll get there soon.”
The former Hartlepool man has netted five goals in 13 appearances this term and is targeting more: “I’d like a few more to be honest. I’ve had plenty of opportunities to get more goals. I should have done better with the penalty [against Newport], that should have been another goal.
“With some chances, if I just relax a bit more, I should be taking them. I just need to be a bit more calm on the ball at times and just make better decisions at times.”
