Mansfield Town have seen their promotion charge falter in recent weeks, with three defeats in five League Two matches.

Prior to that the Stags had lost just three in 29, but as the end of the season draws near they've stumbled out of the top three.

They've got a great squad at Field Mill, packed with young talent such as Jorge Grant and Tyler Walker, experienced players such as Nicky Ajose and Neil Bishop and some talent of their own, CJ Hamilton for instance.

 

It's a squad that should be challenging at the top of the table, but many of the key players have been loaned in. Whatever the outcome, some of these players will be gone by the end of May.

Tyler Walker has been a wonderful capture for the Stags. He's come in on loan from Nottingham Forest and grabbed 17 goals in the league, 21 in total. His season has stuttered recently after he was sent off against Forest Green, but he'll return this evening to give them a boost away at Crawley.

Walker has ten matches left at Field Mill, but as a young player taking a big risk in dropping into the basement division, he'll be wanting to add at least three more goals to his league tally.

The elusive '20 goal' striker is something all clubs strive to acquire and Walker will know hitting that mark will make him a little more attractive to a possible new club.

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Despite the success he's achieved at Mansfield, he won't want to be in League Two next season. It seems as though his Forest days might be numbered, although Martin O'Neill coming to the club might change that.

He will still need a big response to his petulant red card for swearing at an official though, proving to his new manager that his temperament isn't an issue.

Looking forward, a promotion would be good on his CV too. Mansfield have fought hard all season and without Walker's goals wouldn't be in the position that they are. He'll know that, but if they miss out it's all be in vain.

No footballer wants his efforts to be for nothing and so Mansfield will be getting a fired-up Tyler Walker this evening, fresh, focused and fearsome.