Clough unmoved by Akins backlash after crash death guilty plea

Lucas Akins helped Mansfield Town clinch automation promotion from League Two last season

The backlash to Lucas Akins starting for Mansfield Town just hours after he pleaded guilty to causing the death of a cyclist will not impact the forward's selection in future, says Stags boss Nigel Clough.

The 36-year-old admitted causing the death of cyclist Adrian Daniel by careless or inconsiderate driving, at a hearing at Leeds Crown Court last Tuesday.

Later that evening Akins played for Stags in a goalless draw with Wigan Athletic at their One Call Stadium home.

His involvement immediately attracted criticism on social media.

When asked by BBC Radio Nottingham about the backlash, Clough replied: "I don't see social media so haven't heard or seen one thing. If I start picking the team based on what is said on social media then that will be going away from our main principles."

Akins was a Mansfield player when the crash happened three years ago and has remained available to play throughout that time.

Mr Daniel, 33, died 10 days after he was struck by Akins' Mercedes car in Huddersfield in March 2022.

Akins is due back at Leeds Crown Court for sentencing on 24 April.

While the forward featured against Wigan on the same day that he entered his guilty plea, Akins' involvement in the game lasted just 45 minutes because of a hamstring injury.

He was not included in the squad that drew 1-1 with Stevenage on Saturday.

Clough was asked about how "mentally difficult" the situation has been for the player and club to deal with ahead of Tuesday's League One game at Exeter City.

"It's incredibly difficult, but he has been dealing with it for the last two or three years and all we can do is give him every bit of support we can," Clough said.

Akins, who has six international caps for Grenada and counts Burton Albion and Huddersfield Town among the eight clubs he has played for during his near 18-year professional career, is into the final four months of the year-long contract extension he signed with Mansfield last summer.