Thompson and Day give Mansfield Town defensive boost

Day skippered Aldershot to promotion to the League in 2008/09

Mansfield Town defenders Rhys Day and John Thompson are both ready to return to action this weekend following lengthy spells on the sidelines.

Big-name summer signing Thompson has not played yet after suffering a facial injury in pre-season and Day has been out since February with a knee injury.

But both came through a friendly match this week and are set to feature against AFC Telford on Saturday.

Day told BBC Radio Nottingham: "It's like the boss having two new signings."

"But it's down to him [Paul Cox] to pick who plays, where they play and when they play."

Day is in his second spell with the Stags, having re-joined them from Oxford United last season following a loan spell.

The 29-year-old is itching to prove he still has plenty to offer after a frustrating eight months.

"I feel now that I am ready to play," Day said. "Three weeks ago I might have said I was ready but deep down I knew I wasn't.

"The first month or so I was here when I first arrived from Oxford I was fit and I felt on top of my game but then the knee injury kicked in.

"I'd say it's a good nine or 10 months since I felt like myself and could could go out and do a job.

"Now I can say and I can go out, give my all and not worry about the injury."