MANSFIELD Town face a striker crisis with the new season fast approaching after Rob Duffy has been struck down with chronic appendicitis.

Stags boss David Holdsworth is desperate to get the go-ahead for the Welshman to receive private treatment.

If he does, Duffy's absence could be limited to around three weeks.

But should he have to wait for NHS treatment, it could be months.

The timing could not be worse for Holdsworth, who has seen Jake Speight sold to Bradford City and then allowed fellow front man Kyle Perry to join Tamworth.

It leaves Lee Gregory as the only recognised striker on the club's books.

Holdsworth has drafted in the Boulding brothers, Michael and Rory, on trial.

He revealed he is also in talks with four other frontmen.

"It is a real setback for us with Rob's grumbling appendix because he has come back focused," said Holdsworth.

"He has moved to Notts, has looked lean and sharp and played well in the friendly against Sheffield United."

Mansfield play a behind-closed-doors friendly at Barnsley today where the crop of trialists will get another chance to impress.

Mark Preece stands by to make his first appearance.

Meanwhile, Speight has been jailed for 12 weeks after being found guilty of assault for an incident in February.

Holdsworth said the club were unaware of the charges against him at the time he was sold to Bradford.