Mansfield vs Crawley preview
Monday 14 January 2019 16:29, UK
New signings Nicky Ajose and Jorge Grant could feature for Mansfield against Crawley after signing ahead of the midday cut-off.
Charlton striker Ajose and Nottingham Forest midfielder Grant have agreed loan deals until the end of the season, with their possible participation subject to receiving Football Association clearance.
Defender Matt Preston is suspended, but Neal Bishop is back from a one-match ban. Goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik (knee) is out for the season, while Alex MacDonald and David Mirfin (both knee) are still out.
Defender Joe McNerney completes a three-match ban for Crawley. McNerney was shown a straight red card in the New Year's Day win over Colchester and missed the win over Cheltenham and defeat to Stevenage.
Defender Lewis Young and midfielder Filipe Morais are pushing for starts. Morais made his return from an eight-game absence following hand surgery and an Achilles problem as a substitute at Stevenage.
Opta stats
Mansfield have never previously lost at home to Crawley in League Two, winning two and drawing one of three such matches since their first in September 2015.
After losing each of their first three encounters with Mansfield in League Two between September 2015 and November 2016, Crawley have since gone unbeaten in their last three against the Stags (W1 D2).
Mansfield have lost back to back league games for the first time since April 2018 (run of four straight defeats) - as many defeats as in their previous 30 League Two games (W13 D15 L2).
Crawley have failed to win any of their last nine away league games (D1 L8), scoring just five goals in the process - the Reds last went longer without an away victory in the Football League between August 2014 and February 2015 (a club record 14 games).
Tyler Walker has scored 12 goals for Mansfield so far this season - 10 of those have been scored in the second half, including each of his last seven.
