NIGEL Clough admits it has been a frustrating week for Mansfield Town after having their last two games called off.

Last Tuesday’s original meeting with Wanderers was postponed due to a frozen pitch while Saturday’s clash at Walsall was called off due to a waterlogged surface.

The Stags are the form team in the division and are on a hot streak of form having won their last five games to climb the table – but they haven’t played since winning 1-0 at struggling Southend on January 23.

“To have two matches cancelled on the spin is very frustrating, especially when you’re in good form and everyone is fully fit,” said experienced former Burton, Sheffield United and Derby boss Clough.

“We’re playing well and winning games, and want to play every week.

“(Saddlers boss) Darrell Clarke gave us an early heads up from Walsall, saying there was a lot of water on the pitch, so we were able to schedule a good training session on Saturday.”

Mansfield’s inactivity has seen them drop to 14th place in the League Two table but Wanderers will not underestimate a side that have lost just one of their last 10 league matches – a 1-0 defeat at Carlisle in mid-December.

Clough was impressed with Wanderers’ 2-0 win over Leyton Orient on Saturday and is expecting a tough test from Ian Evatt’s men at the One Call Stadium this evening.

“Bolton deserved to win on Saturday and created good chances, so they will come here with a bit more confidence than they would last Tuesday,” he said.

“They have good players who have played at the highest level.”

Mansfield welcome captain Ollie Clarke back to the squad but Andy Cook has left the Stags to join Bradford on loan for the rest of the season having not been able to dislodge the three-pronged attack of Jordan Bowery, Harry Charsley and Jamie Reid.

“Andy (Cook) wanted to go and have a chance of starting,” said Clough.

“It was a case of Jordan Bowery, Jamie Reid and Harry Charsley playing so well. Cooky wanted to play football which was fair enough – he has done well for us since he came in.”

He added: “Ollie (Clarke) is available for tomorrow night – he had a good training session over the weekend.”

Clarke is back after a knee problem while forward Tyrese Sinclair is also working his way back to full fitness after overcoming coronavirus.

Former Wanderer Joe Riley is a long-term absentee with a serious knee injury.