Manager Nigel Clough says Stags’ superb travelling support will be ‘much appreciated as always’ when Mansfield head to Morecambe this Saturday.
The Stags have won their previous three away encounters and have recorded just one loss away from One Call Stadium in the league this season.
Less than 270 tickets remain out of 1,300 – in Stags’ away allocation for the weekend’s contest, much to the appreciation of the boss.
Speaking to iFollow Stags in a news conference at RH Academy today, he said: “I think when we’ve done so well on the road, especially off the back of Stockport when we could’ve probably sold three times our allocation, I think that [limited Morecambe tickets being available] is brilliant news.
“We’ve had some long trips in December and there’s another couple in January.
“The support will be much appreciated as always.
“In the Stockport game there was a 10,000 crowd and we had less than ten percent of that and we heard the Stags’ fans more than anything.”
The manager went on to provide a fitness update, including the latest on the knee injury sustained by forward Rhys Oates on New Year’s Day in the 2-0 win at Stockport.
“Hopefully later on this week we’ll have a clearer idea of the seriousness of it [Oates’ injury],” he said.
“He [Calum Macdonald] couldn’t get into the squad at Stockport, just outside of it as we had plenty of cover, and on Saturday he was injured in the last minute of training when he collided with Baily Cargill. He got a dead leg, but he should be okay for this week.
“He [Callum Johnson] had just got back into the side, settling in, and it looked very innocuous, the hamstring injury.
“Usually players are running full-pelt or stretching, and it wasn’t the case. He’s done it good and proper, and it’ll be a long one for a hamstring [10 weeks].
“I think we’re okay [in that position, for cover]. I think with the way Jordan [Bowery] is going, and we’ve got Calum Macdonald, Macca [Stephen McLaughlin] and George Williams can play there – I think that’s one of the areas we’re pretty well covered.”
Nigel revealed that a loan offer for a forward has been submitted.
“An offer has gone in for a loan and we’re waiting for the [other] club to respond,” the gaffer added.
“We’ve had one or two enquiries for our lads – one or two loans – so we’ll have a look at that.
“With the way the injuries are at the moment, we don’t want to leave ourselves too short.”
On the weekend’s opponents, Morecambe, he said: “I think they’re almost a Jekyll & Hyde. Away from home they look a different side to what they are at home.
“At home they’re very strong indeed.
“We had a good result against them earlier on in the season, they’ve changed managers since, but the home results they get are exceptional.”
