Archived News from September 2003
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MENDES WORRY, BUT LARKIN IS BACK FOR STAGS
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MENDES WORRY, BUT LARKIN IS BACK FOR STAGS
CHAD website JUST as Stags' injury problems appeared to be clearing up for tomorrow's trip to Cambridge, striker Junior Mendes has damaged knee ligaments in training. And central defender Dave Artell looks set to lose his race against time to recover from a hamstring injury. But there was great news regarding goal ace Colin Larkin who seems set to start at Cambridge. Mendes is having intensive treatment from the club physio and is touch and go while Saturday has come too quickly for Artell who is now more likely to return the following weekend. However, Larkin, who has had up to 15 injections in his problem hamstring, is back in training and, while he is still not 100 per cent, has looked sharp and more like his old self. Of the other walking wounded, Iyseden Christie, who has just completed a three-game ban, returned to training on Wednesday after recovering from a bruising of the knee joint and tendonitis though Lee Williamson, also back from a three-game suspension, will be another week after having a knee operation in that time. Bobby Hassell should play, despite a torn muscle in his abdomen which will prevent him hurling in his long throw-ins, and fellow full back Tony Vaughan should also be all right despite his bruised ankle. Luke Dimech has trained for four days this week after his knee injury and should be back in the squad and Tom Curtis and Craig Disley have also improved after playing last Saturday with back problems. "I should certainly have more options than last Saturday," said manager Keith Curle. "I watched Cambridge against Boston and they are very similar to Yeovil in that they like to keep it narrow and play neat and tidy football. "It will be up to us to break them down and create our own space in which to play. "And it is important we keep a close eye on Dave Kitson who has been scoring goals for them. He has spells where he goes very quiet during a game but then produces something special." ---------------- PLAYER CRISIS OVER, FOR NOW Evening Post, 26 September 2003 Mansfield Town have been boosted by the return of several key players ahead of tomorrow's visit to Cambridge. The Stags looked deflated last week with half a dozen of their main players out through injury and suspension. And several players also picked up knocks in the 1-0 defeat against Yeovil. But manager Keith Curle is expecting to have almost a full squad to choose from after his men responded well to treatment. Iyseden Christie returns from suspension, Bobby Hassell has declared himself fit after a stomach injury kept him out last week and Luke Dimech is expected to be back in contention after recovering from a knee operation. But another massive boost comes in the form of Colin Larkin, who has responded to a course of injections in his hamstring which allowed him to get back to full training. The young striker has been looking sharp on the training pitch and Curle is hopeful he can play a part in tomorrow's game. Tony Vaughan (ankle) and Junior Mendes (knee) have shaken off slight knocks but Dave Artell (hamstring) and Lee Williamson (knee), are both doubtful. However, it now means Curle will have a selection headache of a more positive kind with many more options to choose from going into the match against The U's. Curle said: "I'm glad to have people back from injury. It's a boost to have a bigger squad to choose from." Curle has had Cambridge watched and believes they will try to force the Stags to play down the middle. But Curle added: "We have had them watched a few times and they play a very narrow game but produce quick, neat and tidy football. "They will try to force us to play narrow through the middle but it is up to us to create our own space and play football how we like. "But it will be up to our defenders to snuff out the danger man, Kitson, to allow us to be able to play our game." One player who will not be in the squad is striker Andy White, who is still at Boston United on loan. He was back at Field Mill this week for treatment but is expected to line up tomorrow against Darlington. Curle, who has watched him play for Boston, said: "I have spoke to Andy and he is enjoying it. I will be speaking to the manager for a report on Andy and about the possibility of extending his loan." STAGS (probable): Pilkington, Hassell, Vaughan, John-Baptiste, Day, Curtis, MacKenzie, Lawrence, Corden, Mendes, Christie. Subs: Dimech, Disley, J White, Larkin, Clarke. ----------- STAGS IN THE DOCK OVER SWANSEA BUST-UP Evening Post, 26 September 2003 The Football Association has charged Mansfield for their part in what they described as "a 21-man melee" at Swansea last month. Lee Williamson saw red after his kick on Leon Britton sparked the mass brawl at The Vetch, a game the Stags lost 4-1. He has now served his three-match ban but the FA have decided to charge the clubs for the ugly scenes that followed, which also saw Liam Lawrence booked. The FA have charged Mansfield with using "violent, threatening and provocative behaviour" in relation to the brawl, which it says involved 21 men. Mansfield have until October 7 to request a personal hearing. It is likely they will take that route as at the time Keith Curle stated he felt Swansea had deliberately created an intimidating atmosphere by only allowing the Stags 280 tickets for the game. And the manager has also watched the tape over again and believes that only four Stags players were involved, with nine Swansea players. If the Stags accept the charge or ask for a hearing and are unsuccessful in persuading the FA to accept its argument, they face a hefty fine. A spokesman for Mansfield Town said: "The manager Keith Curle and chairman Keith Haslam will sit down and discuss it to see if they are going to take it up, offering our side of the story. We feel there was a lot of injustice on the day." |
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