Mansfield taking no chances with injured duo

Posted Friday, December 22, 2017 by PA

Mansfield will not rush Joel Byrom and Kane Hemmings back from injury as they look to reclaim a League Two play-off place against Morecambe.

Boss Steve Evans has stated his desire to be in the top seven at Christmas but no wins in the last three league matches has seen the Stags slip down to 10th in the table.

Hemmings has missed all three of those clashes with a calf problem while a groin strain has kept midfielder Byrom out of action since the draw with Chesterfield.

Byrom is set for another week on the sidelines while Hemmings' return to action could to be more imminent.

Morecambe's Adam Campbell came off the bench to score in the defeat at Barnet and could be pushing for a start.

Manager Jim Bentley picked an unchanged side last weekend but could make changes this time around.

Midfielder Kevin Ellison, after recovering from a hamstring injury, was given 45 minutes from the bench as was Callum Lang and both could be given a chance from the start.

Defender Sam Lavelle and midfielder Alex Kenyon have yet to force their way back into the reckoning after their absences caused by suspension and back spasms respectively.