Mansfield Town vs Hartlepool United FC - Kyle Howkins recalled by West Brom
Posted Friday, February 10, 2017 by PA
Kyle Howkins' return to the Mansfield squad has been delayed and he will miss the visit of Hartlepool.
The centre-half, on loan from West Brom, has recovered from a knee injury and was expected to be available on Saturday. However, he will now play for his parent club in a under-23 match with a view to being on the bench when the Stags host Accrington on Tuesday night.
Howkins should be the only absentee for Mansfield manager Steve Evans, whose side are now on the brink of the play-off places after a seven-match unbeaten run in League Two which has included five wins.
Winger Alex MacDonald and midfielder Alfie Potter both joined the club on deadline day and will hope to make their full debuts.
Hartlepool boss Dave Jones will make late calls on striker Billy Paynter and midfielder Michael Woods.
Paynter has missed the last three games with an Achilles injury, while Woods sat out last weekend's 1-1 home draw with Yeovil as he nursed an ankle problem.
Midfielder Nathan Thomas, who has made two late appearances as a substitute in recent weeks following his return from groin surgery, played an hour for the reserves on Tuesday and is pushing to make a first-team comeback against his former club.
However, full-back Carl Magnay continues to work his way back from a serious knee injury and goalkeeper Trevor Carson will miss the rest of the season after undergoing an operation on his shoulder.
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