Clough hopeful Keillor-Dunn will stay after failed Tykes bids
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.”
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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.”
Two goals early in the second half saw Barnsley overturn a 1-0 deficit to claim a 2-1 League One win at Exeter and end their six-match winless run in all competitions.
Exeter made a strong start to the game with Jack Aitchison dragging a shot wide of goal inside the opening 20 seconds.
The Grecians were rewarded for their bright start after 13 minutes when Caleb Watts was fouled a yard outside the 18-yard box and Josh Magennis’ drilled free-kick took a big deflection before nestling in the net.
The Tykes rarely threatened in the opening half but they did have one good chance when Davis Keillor-Dunn was played through on goal, but Joe Whitworth was out quickly to make a superb save, while Caleb Watts blazed an equally-good chance over the crossbar for Exeter.
Barnsley levelled four minutes into the second half when the hosts struggled to clear their lines and Kelechi Nwakali smashed a fine low shot past the unsighted Whitworth from 25 yards.
The Tykes went in front after 58 minutes when Stephen Humphreys drilled a superb low cross into the box and Keillor-Dunn had the simplest of tap-ins.
