Mansfield vs Southend preview - Stags hopeful on five

Posted Friday, October 31, 2014 by PA

Mansfield hope to have five of their injured players back for the visit of Southend.

Midfielder Chris Clements (knee) and striker Ollie Palmer (ankle) both managed 75 minutes in a behind-closed-doors game against Burton this week, while fellow forward Matt Rhead (hamstring), as well as defender Martin Riley (back) and midfielder Simon Heslop (hamstring), could also be available for selection on Saturday.

However, defender Ritchie Sutton is now out for up to six weeks with a fractured jaw, and with Ryan Tafazolli (hamstring) still a week away from returning, QPR loanee Jamie Sendles-White is the Stags' only fit centre-half.

Meanwhile, Luke Jones (Achilles) is a long-term absentee and Alex Fisher (dislocated shoulder) is out until December, while Kieron Freeman (knee) will also probably remain on the sidelines for another game.

Southend have no fresh injury worries ahead of the trip.

Ben Coker is back on the training pitch having ripped elbow tendons and damaged ligaments in September but this match comes too soon for him while Mads Ibenfeldt's foot injury means he misses out once more.

But Phil Brown has no other concerns as they look to end a five-game winless run in Sky Bet League Two.

Only four sides in the division have scored less goals than the Shrimpers and Brown could shuffle his strikers in a bid to get back to winning ways, with the likes of Shaquile Coulthirst itching to start.