SkyBet League Two - Plymouth Argyle vs Mansfield Town - Match Preview

Just a couple or hours remain for the transfer deadline day finale with Plymouth Argyle and Mansfield Town having very quiet days.   

John Sheridan has expressed his desire to sign a striker on loan but has not been so successful so far this January transfer window.  So far this January transfer window Sheridan has brought in two very promising and talented players.  Crystal Palace pairing Jason Banton and Matt Parson have both swapped the Premier League with SkyBet League Two.  Banton has signed an 18 month contract with Argyle until summer 2015, whilst Parson has signed on to the end of the current 2013-14 season.  Mansfield, however have not signed anyone during this January transfer window.  The reason being the club cannot afford to sign any players as they continue to fight legal action against former shareholders and directors of the club; Andy Saunders and Steve Hymas.  The pair are owned almost £1 million in loans during their time at the club.      

The last time both teams met in the league was on Saturday 26^th October 2013. The Pilgrims left it until the dying seconds of the fixture to score and grab all the three points.  A fairly even encounter was decided with a Neal Trotman header in front of the travelling supporters.  A perfectly amazing ball was delivered into the box by Captain Conor Hourihane.  Floated to the far post, one of his best performances in green, Neal unmarked headed straight into an own goal.  What a feeling, three points at the death. 

Both Argyle and the Stags have not played since last Saturday.  Plymouths fixture away at Newport and Mansfield’s home game to Bury on Tuesday evening both failed victim to the weather. 

Manager John Sheridan will be sweating over the fitness of some of his defenders for the visit of Mansfield.  Durrell Berry will be one definite absentee through a groin injury.  The former Aston Villa youth player was substituted at half time in the 3-2 defeat to Port Vale in the FA Cup third round replay.  Central defender Guy Branston will also sit out the SkyBet League Two fixture through a foot injury which he has aggravated.  The much travelled defender suffered a similar injury in the summer which kept him out in the opening stages of the season Unavailable for the game at Home Park is midfielder Andres Gurrieri, the Argentine will serve his second of a three match ban after being given a straight red card away at Rochdale.  This could mean a first start for winger Nathan Thomas.  The player has contributed in games which he has featured in from coming off the bench.  Mansfield manager Paul Cox has a fully fit squad for the trip to Devon.  Sam Clucas has returned to action and also Ben Hutchinson has returned to training. 

Available: Luke McCormick, Jake Cole, Paul Wotton, Maxime Blanchard, Curtis Nelson, Neal Trotman, Ben Purrington, Jamie Richards, Luke Young, Dominic Blizzard, Conor Hourihane, Nathan Thomas, Jason Banton, Rommy Boco, Rueben Reid, Lewis Alessandra, Isaac Vassell, Tyler Harvey

Doubtful: Matt Parsons (dead leg),

Unavailable: Ryan Lane (knee injury), Matt LeCointe (knee injury), Durrell Berry (groin injury), Marvin Morgan (knee injury), Andres Gurrieri (suspended)