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Archived News from April 2005

MORE CONTRACT NEWS, PLUS PREVIEWS
1st April 2005 15:34


I'LL BE BACK THIS SEASON - CURTIS
Evening Post, 01 April 2005
MARK ROACH

Tom Curtis has hit back at suggestions that he will be out of action for the rest of the season.

The midfielder was going under the knife today, but says he should be fit to return to action later this month.

He said: "I'm having an operation to clear my knee out and I should be back in two or three weeks - not three months as has been suggested."

Curtis, who has decided not to have a shoulder operation as planned, said Stags boss Carlton Palmer had not confirmed if he intended to keep him.

"I spoke to Carlton Palmer and he says he hasn't made a decision on all the players yet. He hasn't told me one way or the other.

"But I've got another year left on my contract and as far as I'm concerned I will still be a Mansfield player next season."

It's a similar story with Alex Neil and Rhys Day.

"I think the manager wants me to stay, but I'm not sure what's happening," said Neil. "I certainly haven't been told that I'm leaving."

Commenting on Day, Palmer said: "He's on contract next season but whether he is still with us, like one or two others, I don't know."

The club has confirmed that Giles Coke and Callum Lloyd will be offered contracts.

Other contracts confirmed are for youth team striker Danny Heron and midfielders Daniel Sleath and Anton Brown.

Meanwhile, striker Colin Larkin should be fit enough for tomorrow's revenge mission against Grimsby.

"I got a dead leg in training and when I woke up the next morning my leg had stiffened up and I couldn't move it properly," he said. "I was finding form again and I felt really sharp against Bristol Rovers.

"It was just my luck to have to miss a couple of games, but I should be okay for tomorrow and hopefully I will be back in the squad."

Stags boss Carlton Palmer wants more of the same from Mansfield against Grimsby as his side aims to end a run of five home games without a win.

"Everybody should be fit apart from Curtis," he said. "It's a nice selection problem to have. We've got the nucleus of a very good young side."

Chairman Keith Haslam has confirmed there is more money for Palmer to spend in the summer.

The Stags boss added: "If we can work on one or two things in the summer and bring in one or two better players I'm sure we'll be up there challenging next season."

Gareth Jelleyman is back in contention ahead of tomorrow's game and Luke Dimech returns from international duty with Malta, but loan striker Andrew Barrowman has returned to Birmingham a week early.

Dave Artell should get 45 minutes in a Stags friendly on Monday. Adam Eaton sees a specialist on Wednesday with a view to having surgery on his groin the following Wednesday.

Mansfield from: Pilkington, Jelleyman, Buxton, John-Baptiste, McNiven, Coke, McLachlan, Rundle, Brown, Barker, Larkin, Lloyd, Neil, White, Dimech, McIntosh, Herron.

THE MARINERS
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12:00 - 01 April 2005
Loan striker Matt Harrold plays his last game for the Mariners tomorrow before returning to Brentford.

Left back Ronnie Bull (ankle) is back in contention, while centre back Simon Ramsden (ankle) is very doubtful.

Michael Reddy is ruled out with a knee injury.

Grimsby from: Williams, McDermott, Forbes, Whittle, Crowe, Pinault, Coldicott, Fleming, Parkinson, Gritton, Harrold, Hockless, Soames, Crane, Downey, Jones, Bull.

 

Latest | April 2005