Bobby Olejnik in contention for Mansfield return after nine months out

Posted Thursday, September 26, 2019 by PA

Mansfield goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik is in contention for this Saturday’s visit of Plymouth after nine months on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.

The Austrian has been absent since last December after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament in training but he is now vying for a squad place this weekend and could challenge Conrad Logan for the number one spot.

Defender Matt Preston is once again suspended following his red card in last week’s 4-0 defeat at home to Cambridge.

Nicky Maynard faces a late fitness test on a hamstring injury while fellow striker Craig Davies is expected to return to full-time training next month.

Forward duo Dom Telford and Byron Moore will miss the trip to the One Call Stadium but could return next week.

Telford was withdrawn midway through the first half of the 2-0 defeat to Cheltenham last Saturday because of a hamstring injury, while a similar issue led to Moore limping out of the 2-2 draw with Crawley a few days earlier.

The pair have both had injections, as has midfielder Jose Baxter, who could return from a calf complaint early next week, while wing-back Joe Riley is back in contention after a knee injury.

On-loan Rangers forward Zak Rudden is set to return to first-team training at the start of next week following a knee problem.