Mansfield Town face a tough away test in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night, travelling to Vale Park to face a Port Vale side with a perfect scoring record in the competition. The Stags, currently 17th in the League One standings with eight points from seven games, will be without top scorer Lucas Akins for the Group North fixture.
Nigel Clough confirmed the 37-year-old forward suffered a hamstring injury while on international duty with Grenada and is set for a scan this week. Baily Cargill is also expected to miss the next couple of weeks, though Jon Russell has returned to training after a four-game absence. Tyler Roberts and George Abbott, who has not featured since his Deadline Day return, could be given minutes as they build fitness. The full extent of the club's injuries continues to challenge the squad.
Recent form and team news
Mansfield enter the tie without a win since August, their last outing a 2-2 draw with Burton Albion on September 19. Michael Smith scored in that match, with the equaliser coming from the now-injured Akins. Port Vale’s form has been mixed, with a draw against Chesterfield their most recent result. The Valiants have scored in every match this season but have also conceded 92 goals in the 2026/27 campaign.
Clough suggested fans can expect to see almost a full-strength team despite the competition, as Mansfield look to bounce back from an opening group defeat to Manchester City U21s. He emphasised the need to use the game to build momentum, particularly given the team's league position of eight points from a possible 21, which translates to an average of just over one point per game. The match kicks off at 19:00 UK time and will be available to watch on Sky Sports+.
With several players still on international duty, including Nathan Moriah-Welsh with Guyana, squad depth will be tested. The Stags return to League One action next week, hosting 19th-placed Bromley at the One Call Stadium on October 10. That key league fixture, part of a busy upcoming schedule, is already marked on the club's fixtures list as they aim to climb the table.
