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Archived News from February 2005

WARNE NO GO
24th February 2005 13:56


Warne no go as Stags sharpen up to face Diamonds
CHAD website, 25 Feb 2005

PAUL Warne will definitely not be part of Mansfield Town's plans as they prepare to travel to struggling Rushden and Diamonds on Saturday (3pm).
Rotherham United have told Warne, who enjoyed a successful spell on loan with Stags, that he must see out his contract which ends in the summer.
Having allowed Michael Proctor out on loan to Swindon, the Millers have told Warne they now need his services, despite having told him he could join Stags when he was out injured last week.
"It;s very disappointing for us and for Paul but the deal is dead as a duck now," said Mansfield caretaker-manager Carlton Palmer.
"They have let Proctor go out as he was on the higher wages and, even though he has been told he is not part of their long-term plans, Paul has been told he has to stay and play.
"I feel sorry for the kid but I can understand it from the manager's point of view.
"We will keep an eye on the situation in the summer but I would be surprised if other clubs at a higher level were not interested in him too."
Palmer had given Warne until last night to sort out his future so must now fall back on Plan B and see who else can come in.
He does have one or two irons in the fire but said: "Whoever we bring in now would also be with one eye on next season so it has to be the right player.
"I will work on it after training today but if we can't get them in for Saturday we won't be panicking."
If weather forecasts are to be believed, the current wintry weather should be easing off by Saturday and the game likely to go ahead.
It was snowing in Rushden this morning (Thursday) but not settling. And the Diamonds have frost covers for the pitch which protect it down to minus four degrees.
But the heavy snows in Mansfield this morning have scuppered Palmer's hopes of proper outdoor training.
"We will just get the lads into a gym for a spot of five-a-side today.
"We played Saturday and Tuesday so it is not a major problem. We can't really work on team tactics but we can keep their fitness ticking over and I want to put a smile back on their faces and make them realise Tuesday was not the end of the world.
"I have watched a video of the match four times now and it was a freak result. Wycombe's manager admitted they didn't deserve to win 4-1.
"Individuals made uncharacteristic mistakes and that's that. We dominated much of the game and if their penalty was a penalty we had a stone cold penalty at the other end which was turned down.
"Also, their right full back got away with murder as he was one the goal line playing everyone onside when Fraser McLachlan had his goal disallowed. The flag went up very late but it was a goal - no argument.
"None of their players appealed either which was very telling. It just shows we are not getting the luck."
This Saturday's opponent, Rushden, enjoyed more than their fair share of luck in escaping from a one-sided match at Field Mill with a 0-0 draw.
Before Tuesday they had only won once in 17 matches. But they gave Bury a resounding 3-0 beating on Tuesday to send out a warning to the Stags.
"Rushden are down there in the dogfight and we know it won't be easy," said palmer.
"Sometimes it's easier to play against the sides above you than the ones fighting for their lives.
"Rushden were very comfortable winners over Bury who are not that bad a side.
"But I am sure someone will be on the end of a few goals from us soon once we get the luck we are due."
Stags will again be without suspended winger Simon Brown who will be completing his four game suspension.
Of the injured quartet, Rhys Day is coming along well in training while Scott McNiven is just enjoying being back and weeks away from a return to action.
But there was bad news for Palmer on both Dave Artell and Adam Eaton.
Both have infections in their wounds which will further delay their returns.
Atell, who had an operation on an Achilles tendon which then turned into DVT, will now be at least an extra two weeks.
And injury-plagued Eaton, who thought a recent hip operation would cure all his ills, now has an infection in the wound and, sadly, still seems to be feeling the pain that was hampering him in the first place.
"I will ask the hospital to produce me a report on Adam as we need to know where we are and clarify his position," said Palmer.

 

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