Plymouth v Mansfield preview

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Plymouth will be without captain Curtis Nelson when they host Mansfield.

The Pilgrims lost 2-1 at Portsmouth on Monday – a match which saw centre-back Nelson pick up a red card and he will now serve a one-match ban.

But John Sheridan has been boosted by the return of Anthony O’Connor from injury. He missed the last two matches with a groin problem and is likely to step into the side in place of Nelson against the Stags.

That means Peter Hartley is set to take the captain’s armband as Argyle look to bounce back.

Mansfield will check on Jamie McGuire and Vadaine Oliver before making the long trip to Devon.

Midfielder McGuire (ankle) and striker Oliver (shoulder) are both nursing knocks following the home defeat to Shrewsbury on Monday.

Ricky Ravenhill missed that game with ankle ligament damage, with McGuire taking his place in the starting line-up, and the 34-year-old is likely to remain on the sidelines.

Winger Junior Brown will complete a four-match suspension for the Stags, who are still not safe from the threat of relegation after four straight defeats.

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Plymouth v Mansfield preview

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Plymouth boss John Sheridan will run the rule over defenders Matt Parsons and Maxime Blanchard ahead of the clash with Mansfield.

Parsons is struggling with a thigh injury while Blanchard is carrying a knock, and Sheridan will check on the pair before kick-off.

Durrell Berry (groin) and Guy Branston (ankle) remain out, while Marvin Morgan has returned to full training.

Midfielder Luke Young is vying for a starting berth after coming off the bench to score a late equaliser in his side’s 1-1 draw with Cheltenham.

Mansfield manager Paul Cox faces a dilemma about whether to start leading scorer Sam Clucas at Plymouth.

Forward Clucas, who has scored 11 goals this season, made his return from a five-week absence with ankle ligament damage as a 51st-minute substitute during the 2-2 home draw with Wycombe last weekend.

“After the Wycombe game he came in after a couple of days as stiff as a board,” said Cox. “Do I start him? It’s a tough one and a decision I need to make with my head and not my heart. My heart tells me to chuck him in.”

Midfielder Jamie McGuire and defender Martin Riley are fit again after injury while Ben Hutchinson is also ready to rejoin the squad after a hamstring problem.