Clough hopeful Keillor-Dunn will stay after failed Tykes bids

Davis Keillor-Dunn joined Mansfield from Burton in January 2023

Manager Nigel Clough is optimistic about keeping influential midfielder Davis Keillor-Dunn at Mansfield Town after the club turned down multiple bids from Barnsley.

Keillor-Dunn was instrumental in the Stags' promotion-winning League Two campaign last season, top-scoring for Mansfield with 22 goals while also providing nine assists.

Barnsley, who the Stags beat in their League One season opener, have had the 26-year-old as one of their transfer targets throughout the summer.

"We had bids from them, but nothing reached the club's valuation," Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham.

Asked if he felt Barnsley interest had "fizzled out", Clough replied: "Yeah, hopefully.

"So he is our player for at least this season at the moment. We have 10 days or so to go [in the summer transfer window] and we will be very relieved when it's over."

And it was when talking about Keillor-Dunn "hanging around" that Clough spoke about being open to letting Tom Nichols leave the One Call Stadium on loan.

The 30-year-old forward, who featured in Mansfield's first two games of the season, was left out of the squad for the 3-3 draw with Burton on Saturday.

"We have had three or four calls," Clough said.

"As soon as the season starts and people see good players aren’t in the starting 11, you get calls straightaway.

"His opportunities might be a bit limited, as we will certainly bring another one in, maybe two, so good players like Tom you don’t want them around for just 10 minutes here and 15 minutes there, especially at his age.

"So if he has an opportunity to go and get some football, then we will discuss that with him."