Mansfield Town vs Newport County - Mansfield to check on Chris Clements

Posted Friday, October 09, 2015 by PA

Chris Clements could return to the Mansfield squad for the visit of Newport.

Clements is recovering more quickly than expected from the groin injury he suffered three weeks ago and the midfielder may be back on the bench on Saturday as the Stags look for a third straight win.

Winger Matty Blair is pushing for his first start of the season after coming off the bench against Plymouth.

Mansfield manager Adam Murray is expected to set his side up in the 3-4-3 formation which has served the Stags so well on the road for the past two games.

Newport, managed by former Chesterfield boss John Sheridan, have just one absentee in the shape of Andrew Hughes.

The defender remains on the sidelines after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Stevenage in December 2014.

Sheridan otherwise has a full squad of players to pick from after emerging unscathed from his first game in charge against Exeter last weekend.

Sheridan must decide whether to stick with those who started that 1-1 draw or give opportunities to the likes of Tyler Blackwood, Seth Nana Ofori-Twumasi, Tom Owen-Evans, Matt Partridge and Alex Rodman.