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by The Rovers Review

After securing three points on boxing day with a victory v Notts County, Rovers look to local rivals, Mansfield Town for a victorious end to 2016.

James Coppinger will serve his final ban, for the new year's eve trip, meaning Mandeville will continue in his role of CAM, with Marquis and Williams up front.

This would also be Frazer Richardson's last match, although he will miss it through injury. If Mitchell Lund returns from injury on time, then it looks like Richardson will not be remaining at the Rovers.

Tommy Rowe picked up a 'knock' against Notts County, and it is believed that it might not be too serious, but whether or not that means Rowe is available or not for Mansfield is yet to be decided.

Mathieu Baudry was also iIll during the 1-0 victory, and was substituted at half time for Joe Wright, who also impressed. If Baudry is still ill then Ferguson will have every confidence in Wright to step-up again.

Head-to-head
Rovers go into this game at top of league two, on 45 points, while Mansfield sit in 17th place with 26 points. Mansfield have one of the worst attacks in the league - other than Accrington - as they've only scored a dismal 21 goals in league two from 22 games, where as Rovers have triumphed, scoring the most in the league with 44 goals.

On the contrary, the Stags have a better defensive record than Rovers with them only conceding 28 goals so far, and Rovers conceding 30 goals out of 22 games.

We've met before
Mansfield have two former Rovers players in their side, which could feature against us on New Year's Eve:

James Baxendale: making two appearances from 2011-2012
Oscar Gobern: making 5 appearences while on loan from QPR during 2015.

Players to watch
Their striker, Matt Green, is their most threatening player, and is also their top scorer, scoring 7 goals so far this term.

Previous encounters
Last time we faced each other was during our 2-0 victory at the One Call Stadium back in August this year, during the group stages of the 'Checkatrade Trophy', with goals from Beestin and Calder. Back in 2004 - when we last faced them in the league - it also was victory for Rovers at Mansfield with two goals from Greg Blundell in the second half secured the three points after we went a goal down, during the first half.

Overall, Rovers have won 20 games out of 66 games, drawing 16, since 1932.

Predicted lineup v Mansfield Town
Marosi; Alcock, Butler, Baudry, Mason; Houghton, Blair, Middleton (pending the result  of Rowe's injury), Mandeville; Marquis and Williams.
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