Team news ahead of Mansfield game

The Bees entertain bottom of the table Mansfield at Underhill on Saturday, on the back of a 7 match unbeaten run, including four straight wins. However, manager, Paul Fairclough has a number of injury problems that are likely to stretch his slim squad to the limit. Meanwhile, young centre back, James Cole has gone on loan to Ryman league club, Wingate & Finchley, while young winger, Danny Hart is on loan to Northwood.

As well as long term injury cases, Kenny Gillet and Michael Leary, Ismail Yakubu could be out with a few games with a groin injury, while on loan, Josh Wright misses tomorrow's match as he is on international duty with the England under 19's. To make matters worse, Neil Bishop is rated highly doubtful with a hamstring problem and Joe Devera may also miss the Mansfield game with a bruised foot. Fairclough has called in 18 year old, PROTEC midfield player, Joe Tabiri who played last season in the Herts Senior Cup. He is a highly rated prospect for the future.

With so many injury problems, assistant manager, Ian Hendon is likely to play some part in the squad and may even start the game, particularly if Devera is out. There is also a possibility that if Devera plays then Joe O'Cearuill may start in midfield, with former Watford player, Stephane Seanla also coming into the reckoning.

With the uncertainty about Devera and Bishop, it is hard to predict what the team will look like, but it could look something like this:

Harrison; Hendon, Devera, Burton, Nicolau; Carew, Porter, O'Cearuill, Puncheon; Birchall, Hatch.

Subs: Beckwith, Seanla, Tabiri, Norville, Thomas.

Mansfield have 5 players definitely out, while Jake Buxton and Alex Baptiste are doubtful. Meanwhile, Dean Sinclair, who left Barnet in the summer in a £125,000 move to Charlton Athletic, has been loaned out to League One side, Cheltenham Town to get some first team action.