More details on Barnsley's home game with Mansfield Town from 3pm on Boxing Day.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
Barnsley (4-2-3-1): Cooper; Bland, Roberts, Shepherd, Watson; Connell, Phillips; Yoganathan, Kelly, Cleary; Keillor-Dunn.
Mansfield (3-4-2-1): Roberts; Oshilaja, Cargill, Sweeney; Hewitt, McLaughlin, Reed, Blake-Tracy; Lewis, Moriah-Lewis; Evans.
TEAM NEWS
Barnsley: Injury doubts: Nathanael Ogbeta, Georgie Gent, Josh Earl, David McGoldrick, Adam Phillips.
Mansfield: Suspended: Rhys Oates. Injury doubts: Lucas Akins, Jamie McDonnell, Joe Gardner. Out injured: Tyler Roberts, Regan Hendry, George Maris, Kyle Knoyle, Jordan Bowery.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Reds 1, Stags 0 – October 2, 1954
Barnsley were on their way to the Division Three North title when they made it four wins from four at home to Mansfield in their history. Frank Bartlett got the only goal.
Reds 1, Stags 3 – October 15, 1974
The Stags conceded in the second minute and missed two penalties but still won. Brian Mahoney opened the scoring then a spot-kick was missed after a handball by Phil Chambers. But the visitors levelled before the break, scored twice more in the second half and put another penalty wide.
Reds 1, Stags 0 – September 8, 1979
A goal after 90 seconds from Glyn Riley secured a home victory for Allan Clarke’s side. It was the last league meeting for 23 years.
Reds 1, Stags 2 – August 9, 2024
Much of the pre-season optimism was punctured early on as Barnsley began life under Darrell Clarke with defeat to his hometown club. Veterans Stephen Quinn and Lee Gregory scored in the 13th and 18th minutes then Luca Connell replied with a deflected strike. Max Watters and Sam Cosgrove missed good chances later on.
OPPOSITION VIEW
John Lomas, Mansfield Chad
Mansfield Town made a glorious return to League One football for the first time in 22 years after promotion with that opening night win at Barnsley at the start of last season.
But that feels like a million years ago for Stags right now as they combat another major injury crisis.
Last season saw them flying until the New Year when a glut of injuries wrecked their campaign and they had to settle for survival.
This season is following a similar pattern as, having started well and been one win away from a play-off place, they have suffered a string of injuries to key players
After last weekend, they had nine players on the treatment table, another out ill and another suspended and have slid down into the bottom four.
KEY PLAYER
Will Evans
The 28-year-old Welshman has seven goals in all competitions, including five in the league, after netting 14 times last season.
After being released from the Shrewsbury academy, he worked on the family farm and played for local club Llangedwyn. He played at Cardiff University then Welsh top flight club Bala Town before turning professional with League Two Newport County in 2022.
After netting 25 goals in the 2023/24 season, he signed for League One Mansfield.
He was the last Stags player to score in the league on November 22 when they were already 3-0 down at home to Huddersfield Town.
