Archived News from January 2005
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CORDEN CAN LEAVE, LARKIN REJECTS LOAN MOVE
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Corden set to leave the Stags
CHAD website, 28 Jan 05 Wing ace Wayne Corden has been told he can leave Mansfield Town on a free transfer. The long-serving left winger has never quite hit top form this season and caretaker-manager Carlton Palmer felt that after 14 games, his patience had run out. "Don't get me wrong – Wayne has worked very hard for us," said Palmer. "But, with one eye on this season and one eye on next season, I have told Wayne he can go now to give him an opportunity to get fixed up. "Wayne is out of contract at the end of this season and, as he is on Championship wages, there is no way I could afford to pay him that again next season. "Wayne just has not been playing as Wayne Corden can and I think it is better to let him know now than the end of the season." Corden will not be in the squad for tomorrow's trip to Lincoln City. Larkin rejects Northampton move CHAD website, 28 Jan 05 Colin Larkin has pledged his future to Mansfield Town after rejecting a loan move to Northampton Town. The Cobblers were keen to take the Stags striker – who has been struggling to find the net of late – for the rest of the season. Caretaker-manager Carlton Palmer told Larkin he could go if he wanted but said: "Colin came in to see me and said he wants to stay here and win a new contract. "He said he likes me as a manager and feels the club is going places and he is prepared to do whatever it takes to stay. "He doesn't feel he is 100 per cent fit and wants to battle on and get back to his best." Palmer denies call-ups story CHAD website, 28 Jan 05 STAGS caretaker-manager Carlton Palmer has hit out at a story that defenders Alex John-Baptiste and Jake Buxton have been selected for England U21 duty next month. A story appeared on a national website yesterday along with alleged quote from Palmer saying how delighted he was. It subsequently appeared on Teletext. "I did not make those comments and I do not know where they have come from," said Palmer. "As far as I know the squad has not yet been announced and this sounds like someone is trying to cause problems." The next England U21 match is against Holland at Derby County on 8th February – the night Stags entertain Swansea City. ----------- KIWI HOPES FOR FUTURE Evening Post, 28 January 2005 Shane Smeltz is relishing the opportunity to make an impact in League Two for Mansfield this season. Shane Smeltz tells MARK ROACH his league aims The New Zealand international striker has made only one substitute appearance for the Stags so far since joining the Field Mill club two weeks ago. But he is confident he has the ability to earn a regular starting place - and is keen to show what he is capable of at Lincoln tomorrow, as Mansfield look to chalk up their first win in four games. Stags caretaker-manager Carlton Palmer has already seen enough of Smeltz and fellow new signing Adam Rundle to offer them deals until the end of the season. "It's good to know I've done enough to stay involved at Mansfield until the end of the season," said Smeltz. "It's helpful, because it gives me plenty of time to show what I can do. "I am definitely keen to stay in England and hopefully things will work out at Mansfield for me. I'm not looking to go back to New Zealand. "I've really enjoyed it so far and I want to stay. "I've got a few mates over here which helps." Smeltz added: "My aim now is to start playing regularly. There is competition for places up front, but that's healthy." Palmer was keen to secure the services of both players, to avoid losing them to other clubs. "I played with Adam at Dublin and I know all about what he can do," said the Stags caretaker boss. "Shane is not the finished article, but is young and eager and wants to do well. He has shown us enough to want to keep him here. "I still have one eye on this season, but I am building a squad for next year too. "We have to safeguard against losing our promising young players or we will just end up with a situation like we had with Joel Kitamirike, where we gave him a chance and he moved on to sign elsewhere." Tom Curtis should be available for selection after playing in a reserve game at Rushden on Tuesday, while Fraser McLachlan and Derek Asamoah are also in contention. Asamoah could play with a shoulder harness. "We are relishing the trip to Lincoln. I went there twice with Stockport and won twice so it is a happy hunting ground for me," said Palmer. "It will be tough and physical and if we don't compete, we will get nothing. "Keith Alexander and I know each other very well and I am looking forward to locking horns with him again." The game is all-ticket for away fans. Mansfield (from): Pilkington, Buxton, Jelleyman, Dimech, John-Baptiste, Neil, Murray, Corden, Brown, Barker, Larkin, Smeltz, Rundle, Curtis, McLachlan, Asamoah, Maxwell, White. GREEN BACK IN THE RUNNING FOR LINCOLN Evening Post, 28 January 2005 Lincoln striker Francis Green is back in contention after a one-match ban. He could start at the expense of on-loan Craig Westcarr, set to return to Nottingham Forest on Monday. Central defender Ben Futcher is injured and Martin Carruthers is set to join Cambridge on loan. Keith Alexander looks set to stick with a 5-2-3 formation again. Lincoln: Marriott, McCombe, Morgan, McAuley, Bloomer, Sandwith, Toner, Butcher, Yeo, Green, Taylor-Fletcher, Westcarr, Gain, Hanlon, Blackwood, Hobbs, Richardson. Meanwhile mansfieldtown.net reports that: Lincoln City FC have informed us that the fixture at Sincil Bank Tomorrow (Saturday 29th Jan) has now been changed to a pay on the day game. However you can still purchase tickets from the Ticket Mill office if you wish. |
Latest | January 2005