Stags boss insists striker Rose is going nowhere

MANSFIELD Town boss Steve Evans has issued a firm ‘hands off’ to Coventry City and any other clubs who might be interested in his star striker Danny Rose.

The Sky Blues are reported to be keen on the 23-year-old frontman – who will face a stern test against the meanest defence in the division when he leads the Stags’ charge at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday – but Evans insists he’s going nowhere.

Evans had to fend off interest from other clubs last summer and now Rose, pictured, has reached double figures this season and shown his quality with two class finishes on live TV last weekend, clubs are once again starting to stand up and take notice.

But asked if Rose could go in January, Evans said: “There is no chance.

“We have Danny here for a minimum of another 20-odd months. We are trying to build something here. It’s a strange situation as you do want people interested in your players. We had interest in the in. He is our type and we want him to continue to work hard and keep focused or he knows he will be out the team.

“But I love his tenacity to fight and professionalism. He cares and he is getting his rewards.”

Evans issued Rose a 20-goal target for the season and he is now halfway, but the manager said: “He has a target from me for the season and he needs to get a few more before Christmas if he is to achieve that target as statistics tell you it’s harder to score goals in the second half of the season as games mean more and teams defend a bit better.

“People are normally in their teams on merit by then. In the first half of the season, there are inconsistencies in performance.”

Mark Robins has made a statement of intent to strengthen his Coventry City side in the January transfer window.

The Sky Blues boss has revealed that leading scorer Duckens Nazon, who is currently on loan from Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers, will be a priority to keep beyond the New Year when his initial spell runs out, but is also looking to do ‘other business’ to help his League Two side get over the promotion line during the second half of the season.

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summer in Danny as well as Alex MacDonald and CJ Hamilton and others. We love interest as it means they are playing well. Danny didn’t have any interest in him a year ago when I walked in. But he is a great kid who wants to do well.” Speaking to the...