Rhys Oates: Mansfield striker out for 'few months' with pectoral muscle injury
- Published
Rhys Oates scored one goal in five games this season before his injury
Mansfield Town striker Rhys Oates will be out of action "for a few months" because of a chest injury, boss Nigel Clough has confirmed.
The 27-year-old ruptured a pectoral muscle after scoring in the 5-2 win over AFC Wimbledon on 16 August and needs an operation.
The Stags have won their past two games despite several players being sidelined and are eighth in League Two.
Clough now hopes to sign a forward on loan before the transfer window closes.
"We're not going to put a time limit on how long he'll be out, but it was better news than we anticipated," he said of Oates.
"He'll have the operation, I hope, this week - if not, next week.
"The best guy in the country [is who] we've got on it. He was very positive when he saw the scans and said: 'you'll be up and playing again in a few months.'"
Mansfield are away to Sutton United in their next fixture on Saturday.