Mansfield Town vs Plymouth Argyle - George Taft back as Mansfield prepare for Plymouth clash

Posted Friday, March 10, 2017 by PA

George Taft's return to fitness has given Mansfield manager Steve Evans almost a full squad to choose from against Plymouth.

The defender has recovered from his hamstring injury, leaving only goalkeeper Jake Kean (knee) unavailable for Saturday's League Two match.

On-loan centre-half Kyle Howkins was back in the Stags' squad on the bench against Cheltenham last weekend while strikers Matt Green (groin) and Danny Rose (hamstring) have resumed full training.

They will all be pushing for recalls along with Shaquile Coulthirst, Alfie Potter, James Baxendale, Yoann Arquin and Joel Byrom as Mansfield look to maintain their play-off challenge.

Second-placed Plymouth will assess the fitness of Jakub Sokolik and Antoni Sarcevic ahead of the trip.

Defender Sokolik is struggling with a groin problem he suffered during the Pilgrims' 2-0 victory over Carlisle last Saturday while Sarcevic missed their defeat in midweek against Blackpool through injury. but boss Derek Adams confirmed that both players could return on Saturday.

Midfielder Connor Smith (ankle) is still unavailable but has returned to training and could feature in a reserve game next week.

David Ijaha and Paul-Arnold Garita remain sidelined.