Boro welcome the Stags to the Lamex Stadium, but both teams have their injury problems

Stevenage return to action on Saturday hoping to get back to winning ways in Sky Bet League 2

Manager Graham Westley’s plans have been beset by a number of injuries to key players such as Simon Walton and Calvin Zola this season, but he will welcome back Andy Bond from suspension this weekend.

Form

It is now 17 matches in all competitions since Stevenage last put two positive results together, a run that stretches back to the beginning of April.

With one defeat and one draw in their last two games, Boro are currently 15th in the Sky Bet League 2 table after nine matches.

Mansfield Town are on a run of three wins in four matches in League 2, the latest being the 3-2 victory over Carlisle United on Saturday.

However, Paul Cox’s side have won just once in four attempts on the road so far this season.

Familiar faces

Simon Heslop and Luke Jones were part of the disastrous Stevenage side that was relegated at the end of the 2013-14 season.

Both players, neither of whom was able to hold down a regular starting place in last season’s squad, left Boro in the summer and have since joined the Stags.

Team news

Stevenage will be sweating on the fitness of a number of players including Chris Whelpdale, while Dean Parrett is likely to be on the bench following the midfielder’s substitute appearance last weekend after six months out.

Sam Beasant is a doubt after the goalkeeper picked up a knock ahead of last weekend’s match at Oxford United. In that match, Chris Whelpdale and Adam Marriott both limped off with injuries to further disrupt the Boro squad.

Simon Heslop, the Mansfield midfielder, did not feature in the win over Carlisle United but did play 90 minutes in a midweek reserve team game.

The former Boro man could find himself thrust into the starting XI this weekend due to injuries to Chris Clement (leg) and Fergus Bell (shoulder).

Bermuda international Reggie Lamb could also make his full debut for Mansfield after coming off the bench last weekend.