MANSFIELD Town's Michael Brough is hoping to lead from the front in the absence of skipper Luke Foster at Histon tomorrow.

The central defender has performed ably in the middle of the Stags' defence since replacing the injured Luke Jones.

Now the former Notts County man will have to cope without the imposing presence of Foster, who is suspended for two matches following his sending off against York on Tuesday.

But Brough is determined to rise to the challenge at the Glass World Stadium as Mansfield look to give their flagging play-off hopes a welcome boost.

"I don't know what the gaffer is going to do in the absence of Fozzie, but he is going to be a big miss for us," he said.

"He has done well since he came in and has led the side well too. We were just getting a partnership going, so it is disappointing he is out now.

"But hopefully I can take on the mantle of leading the defence. I have enjoyed playing the last four games with Fozzie and maybe now I can take on his leadership role.

"This could be an opportunity for Scott Garner to come back in. He has not played for a few weeks, so I'm sure he will relish that."

Mansfield's players were seen arguing in the first half of Tuesday's 1-0 defeat to York.

But Brough believes that can be seen as a positive – because it shows the passion and commitment that exists in the Stags squad.

He said: "I was involved in one of the disagreements myself with Challs (Jon Challinor) and I know that it is only because we desperately want to win.

"We exchanged words, but once we got in at half-time, we kissed and made up and got on with it.

"We are all in it together and things like that are only in the heat of the moment.

"All the players were gutted and very down on Tuesday night, but we talked about it on Wednesday and the smiles are back on faces today.

"We are fresh and ready to go again at Histon this weekend."