Stags sign Forest's Gardner on season-long loan

Gardner spent the second half of last season on loan at Lincoln

Mansfield have agreed a season-long loan deal for young Nottingham Forest forward Joe Gardner.

Nottingham-born Gardner can operate as a centre-forward or attacking midfielder and links up with his Forest B team-mate Kyle McAdam, who signed on loan for the Stags at the end of June.

The 20-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan with Mansfield's League One rivals Lincoln City, scoring once in 11 appearances for the Imps.

Gardner, who has joined Nigel Clough's side on their pre-season tour of Ireland, said: "I've been out here only a couple of days and the lads have made me feel very welcome.

"I'm really looking forward to the season and hoping to impress."