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Archived News from October 2006

SHIRTLIFF CLOSES IN ON SIGNINGS
18th October 2006 17:25


STAGS TARGET TWO SIGNINGS
Evening Post, 18 October 2006
MATT HALFPENNY

Mansfield could add two new faces to their squad before Saturday's visit of Wrexham -- if boss Peter Shirtliff has his way.

To avoid alerting other clubs, Shirtliff is keen to keep the identity of his targets close to his chest.

But he has revealed one prospective deal is a permanent transfer involving a non-League player and the other a loan signing from a League club.

"I'm not 100% sure if I will be able to get anything done in time for Saturday, but I'm hopeful for the end of the week," said Shirtliff.

"We could bring in the lad from the non-League club because the transfer window rules don't apply at that level.

"But obviously we would be OK to bring in the other one from a League club because it would be a loan, not a permanent move.

"What happens depends to a degree on finances because, as everyone knows, they are limited at a club of our size."

Alan Sheehan limped off in Mansfield's 1-1 draw at Boston last weekend after suffering a knock on his shin.

But he should be fit to be in Saturday's squad.

Michael Boulding is making good progress on his knee injury but is still receiving treatment from club physio Paul Madin. He has an outside chance of being fit.
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Shirtliff closes in on signings
CHAD website, 16 October 2006

MANSFIELD Town boss Peter Shirtliff has revealed he is hoping to bring in two new faces to 'freshen things up' ahead of Saturday's visit of Wrexham (3pm).
Matt Hamshaw is available again after serving a one game ban and fellow wide man Michael Boulding is making excellent progress with his knee injury and has half a chance.
But Shirtliff is very hopeful he can further boost his squad ahead of Saturday.
"I don't want to reveal any names and alert other clubs," he said. "But one is a non-League player who we may sign on a permanent basis and the other is a League player who we hope to bring in on loan.
"The two lads in mind would certainly add competition for places in the team where I think it needs it.
"I am very hopeful we will land both of them."
Stags ended a 470-minute away league goal drought and four successive away defeats with a hard-earned 1-1 draw at Boston United last Saturday and Shirtliff added: "I was very pleased with the way we competed there.
"It was a difficult game but we are now unbeaten in two games this month and moved two places up the table which is a positive step. We are now looking forward to playing Wrexham at home.
"The first half was poor. But things were much better in the second half and we had many more goal attempts and pressure in their box.
"I was pleased with the aggression about our play in that second half.
"Their keeper made some very good saves and Giles Coke almost won it for us near the end with that header which was well saved.
"The lads are working very hard and, with a little more attention to detail, we can start climbing that league.
"It is all very tight and I think will stay like that all season.
"I had to shuffle players around with the squad I had and I was particularly pleased with Alex John-Baptiste's display in midfield and how Nathan Arnold exploited the space down the right when he came on."
On loan left back Alan Sheehan took a nasty kick on the shin at Boston but was back in training today and is expected to be fine for Saturday.
Wrexham arrive at Field Mill hot on the heels of a 2-1 home defeat by Milton Keynes Dons, only three places and one point above Stags in the table.
The Dragons have now lost six and won only one of their last seven games including four successive away defeats, among them a Carling Cup extra-time loss at Birmingham, having started the season with an away draw and then two away wins.
Injuries to key defenders has played a bg part in their recent stumblings and they are hoping to sign MK Dons defender Steve Morgan on loan.

 

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