Akins returns to action following jail term

Lucas Akins' previous game for Mansfield was against Reading in April

Striker Lucas Akins has played his first game for Mansfield Town after returning to the club following his release from prison.

The 36-year-old was given a 64-minute run-out in their EFL Trophy game against Newcastle United's Under-21 side at Field Mill on Wednesday evening.

Akins was sentenced to 14 months in jail in April after pleading guilty to causing the death of a cyclist by careless or inconsiderate driving.

Adrian Daniel, 33, died 10 days after he was struck by a Mercedes G350 being driven by Akins near Huddersfield in March 2022.

Akins was released from prison after six months and returned to training with the League One side this month.

In the build-up to the match, manager Nigel Clough said Akins would "forever be conscious" of what he had done and would be given "as long as he needs" to resume his career.

Lucas Akins played for over an hour before being substituted

Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham following the game, Clough said the decision to play Akins was taken after he declared himself "ready" following a couple of training sessions.

"I talked to Lucas, (we felt) the sooner we get him on the pitch the better. It's out of the way now, he's had 60-odd minutes and he'll be better for it from this point on.

"He looked rusty, exactly as we expected he would but fitness-wise he's not too bad.

"He won't be involved at the weekend and he'll build up in the next week or two, or few weeks. We've got a reserve game against Chesterfield next Tuesday at the training ground and again he'll feature in that," Clough said.

Mansfield lost 5-3 on penalties against Newcastle after the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

Having conceded an early goal, Max Dickov and Finn Flanagan put the Stags in front and they looked set for victory until the visitors levelled through Ollie Taylor's own goal in the second minute of added time.

Mansfield return to League One action on Saturday when they visit Luton Town.