MX23RW : Friday, May 10 03:33:35| >> :600:1183228:1183228:

Selection dilemma for Nigel Clough ahead of Mansfield's season opener

Selection dilemma for Nigel Clough ahead of Mansfield's season opener
© Reuters
Both managers have substantially re-shaped their squads during the summer.

Mansfield boss Nigel Clough has decisions to make ahead of Saturday's League Two opener against relegated Bristol Rovers.

The Stags boss has overhauled his squad during the closed-season with keepers Nathan Bishop and George Shelvey, defenders Ryan Burke and Elliott Hewitt and midfielders Ryan Stirk and, after a successful loan spell from Burton last season, Stephen Quinn among the new arrivals.

Clough has options up front too with summer signings Rhys Oates, Oli Hawkins and Danny Johnson pushing for starts.

Only midfielder Harry Charsley is unavailable for the season's opener as he works his way back from a thigh injury.

Opposite number Joey Barton too has a new-look squad after a significant reshuffle in the wake of Rovers' drop into the fourth tier.

Barnsley midfielder Luke Thomas, Crystal Palace counterpart Sion Spence and Stoke defender Connor Taylor have all joined on loan in addition to a raft of permanent signings.

At the back, Mark Hughes, Nick Anderton and Trevor Clarke are among the new faces, while midfielders Sam Finley and Harry Anderson have been added to.

Strikers Brett Pitman, Aaron Collins and Harvey Saunders will also fight for places in Barton's plans.

ID:458233:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect1680:

Click here for more stories about Nigel Clough

Click here for more stories about Bristol Rovers

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho pictured on January 2, 2021
Read Next:
Sunday's FA Cup predictions including Marine vs. Tottenham Hotspur
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CPortsmouth462813578413797
3Bolton WanderersBolton462512986513587
4Peterborough UnitedPeterborough462591289612884
5Oxford UnitedOxford Utd4622111379562377
6Barnsley4621131282641876
7Lincoln CityLincoln4620141265402574
8Blackpool4621101565481773
9Stevenage4619141357461171
10Wycombe WanderersWycombe461714156055565
11Leyton Orient461811175355-265
12Wigan AthleticWigan462010166356762
13Exeter CityExeter461710194661-1561
14Northampton TownNorthampton46179205766-960
15Bristol Rovers46169215268-1657
16Charlton AthleticCharlton461120156465-153
17Reading461611196870-253
18Cambridge UnitedCambridge461212223961-2248
19Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury46139243567-3248
20Burton Albion461210243967-2846
RCheltenham TownCheltenham46128264165-2444
RFleetwood TownFleetwood461013234972-2343
RPort Vale461011254174-3341
RCarlisle UnitedCarlisle4679304181-4030


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!