Mansfield boss Coughlan could shuffle pack for Vale visit

Posted Tuesday, December 24, 2019 by PA

Mansfield’s starting line-up for their second game under Graham Coughlan’s management, against Port Vale, could show changes from their first.

Defender Hayden White and forward Craig Davies are both back in full training after injury, with the latter making his first appearance for a year as a late substitute as the Stags drew with Northampton in Coughlan’s debut in the dugout.

Full-back Kellan Gordon missed that match with a back injury.

Nicky Maynard was dropped to the bench but impressed after replacing the recalled Danny Rose in the second half, while midfielder Conor Shaughnessy was left out of the matchday squad altogether.

Vale midfielder Tom Conlon serves the last of a three-match ban.

Manager John Askey will hope to have Shaun Brisley available after a hamstring injury, while fellow defender Adam Crookes has also been absent recently with a groin problem.

Jake Taylor seems certain to feature, with the club having made a bid to convert the midfielder’s loan from Nottingham Forest into a permanent move in January.

Vale go into the game 10th in League Two, five points outside the play-off places after a four-match winless run.