Stags boss fumes at 'archaic' loan rules

DAVID Holdsworth today branded the Football Conference loan rules 'archaic' after preventing the recall of Tom Naylor for Mansfield Town's clash at Histon.

The Stags boss had hoped to give the promising 18-year-old central defender a chance to impress at the Glass World Stadium in place of suspended skipper Luke Foster.

But because Naylor's loan at UniBond Premier side Belper Town is season-long, rather than short term, league rules stipulate he cannot be called back to Field Mill.

Already without Luke Jones for another two to three weeks with his ankle injury, the situation has left Holdsworth furious.

He is a big admirer of teenager Naylor, handing him his senior debut in a 2-0 win over Altrincham in the final stages of last season and a two-year contract in the summer.

Having kept tabs on the Sutton-in-Ashfield-born player during his time at Christchurch Meadow, he believed tomorrow's clash could have been ideal to blood Naylor further at Blue Square Premier level.

"The league rules are ridiculous, archaic even, and need looking at, in my opinion," said Holdsworth.

"If Tom had been out on two shorter loans instead of one longer one then he would be available. But because it's the other way around he isn't. Where's the sense in that?

"We were trying to give the young man a chance to improve and help him in the future by letting him go out on a long term loan.

"Then to find out we can't recall him when we were under the impression we could is a nonsense. Mansfield is his parent club.

"There is no doubt Tom has progressed fantastically this season and it is a shame he will miss out on the chance."

In Naylor's absence, Holdsworth is set to turn to Scott Garner, who has been in and out of the side since Christmas. Striker Jon Shaw is another option as he has played there before, provided he can shake off a leg injury.

Jon Challinor had an injection on his knee to play against York and is still struggling.