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Selection dilemma for Nigel Clough ahead of Mansfield's season opener

Selection dilemma for Nigel Clough ahead of Mansfield's season opener
© Reuters
Both managers have substantially re-shaped their squads during the summer.

Mansfield boss Nigel Clough has decisions to make ahead of Saturday's League Two opener against relegated Bristol Rovers.

The Stags boss has overhauled his squad during the closed-season with keepers Nathan Bishop and George Shelvey, defenders Ryan Burke and Elliott Hewitt and midfielders Ryan Stirk and, after a successful loan spell from Burton last season, Stephen Quinn among the new arrivals.

Clough has options up front too with summer signings Rhys Oates, Oli Hawkins and Danny Johnson pushing for starts.

Only midfielder Harry Charsley is unavailable for the season's opener as he works his way back from a thigh injury.

Opposite number Joey Barton too has a new-look squad after a significant reshuffle in the wake of Rovers' drop into the fourth tier.

Barnsley midfielder Luke Thomas, Crystal Palace counterpart Sion Spence and Stoke defender Connor Taylor have all joined on loan in addition to a raft of permanent signings.

At the back, Mark Hughes, Nick Anderton and Trevor Clarke are among the new faces, while midfielders Sam Finley and Harry Anderson have been added to.

Strikers Brett Pitman, Aaron Collins and Harvey Saunders will also fight for places in Barton's plans.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Wycombe WanderersWycombe19134243222143
2Birmingham CityBirmingham18133234161842
3Wrexham20125330131741
4Huddersfield TownHuddersfield19113530181236
5Stockport CountyStockport2096532211133
6Reading199463028231
7Barnsley208662926330
8Bolton WanderersBolton189362829-130
9Lincoln CityLincoln207762625128
10Blackpool197572931-226
11Mansfield TownMansfield187472222025
12Stevenage187471517-225
13Peterborough UnitedPeterborough197393735224
14Charlton AthleticCharlton196671819-124
15Exeter CityExeter197391721-424
16Wigan AthleticWigan196581716123
17Rotherham UnitedRotherham186571920-123
18Leyton Orient196491920-122
19Northampton TownNorthampton205692129-821
20Bristol Rovers1963101728-1121
21Crawley TownCrawley1954102032-1219
22Cambridge UnitedCambridge1945102031-1117
23Burton Albion1926111630-1412
24Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury1932141939-2011


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