Shires doubt as Stags head to Accrington short on defenders

Teenager defender Corbin Shires, who was hoping to make his Mansfield Town debut in the final League game at Accrington Stanley this weekend, is rated only 50-50 after picking up a knee injury in the reserves in midweek.

Boss Adam Murray had lined up Shires for a possible debut last week after naming him on the bench for the visit of Portsmouth, but once centre half Ritchie Sutton was sent off in the first minutes, the 6ft 4ins 17-year-old ended up being unused.

Ironically, if he misses out on Saturday, it is a position in which Stags are very short this weekend with Sutton serving a one game ban, Michael Raynes off with illness and Martin Riley still trying to overcome a hamstring strain.

Also likely to be missing is midfielder Ricky Ravenhill, who is nursing an ankle injury.

Accrington Stanley are currently 17th spot but haven’t won in their last four outings and were well beaten 4-0 at Dagenham & Redbridge last weekend.

There is football action tonight (Thursday) at the One Call Stadium as Clipstone take on Basford United in the Notts FA Senior Cup final.

Basford, who include former Villa star Lee Hendrie, are favourites, having won the Midland League Premier Division.

But they won’t have it all their own way against an in-form Clipstone, who have just clinched the Northern Counties East League Division One title.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm. Admission to the game is £5 adults and £2 concessions. A family ticket (two adults, two children) is also available for £8.