Alabi heading back to Stoke

The loanee striker spent much of his loan serving a three-game ban for his red card on his Stags debut at Southend.

However, manager Paul Cox today said: “I don’t think we will be taking things any further with James.

“I had a chat with the chairman yesterday and, with the emergence of Ollie Palmer and the form of Sam Clucas, we want to develop our own young players, who are the same age as James, instead of developing young players from other clubs.

“It is a tough decision as I think the kid has incredible potential. We will be keeping an eye on him and, with injuries and suspensions, you never know.

“Anyone who saw Ollie on Saturday knows how well he led the line against one of the best centre back pairings at this level of football.

“He was a real handful and the potential in him is immense.”

Stags head to Burton tomorrow on a run of eight without a win after being pipped at the death 5-4 in Saturday’s amazing shoot-out at Fleetwood Town.