Davis Keillor-Dunn: Mansfield boss Nigel Clough hopeful of keeping midfielder

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.”