"I Will Be Having A Word With The Referee Before The Game"

Carlton Palmer has stated that he intends to talk to Tueday's match official prior to kick-off about Swansea's physical prescence. Swansea and Mansfield are set to meet in a rearranged fixture on Tuesday night, which could prove to be a stormy encounter, given the recent fierce rivalry that has developed between the two clubs over the past eighteen months. However, Carlton Palmer believes that his opposition are "very tough and intimidating physically" and the ex-Stockport County manager is worried about his players.

Speaking to Mansfield Today, Palmer claimed that he will be "having a word with the referee before the game". "I think their two centre forwards tend to throw their elbows around a bit". "I will also tell him to watch their centre backs as I think Richie Barker gets fouled an awful lot".

Palmer also went on to state that Tuesday's fixture would be "extremely tough" for his Mansfield outfit, and that the match would most likely be a tight encounter due to both sides' excellent defensive records. "I have seen Swansea a couple of times and I've liked what I've seen - in fact they are probably the best side in our division".

Mansfield followed up a disappointing 2-0 defeat at play-off hopefuls Lincoln, with a tight 1-0 victory at Notts County last weekend. Prior to this, Mansfield were involved in three straight draws, including a credible 1-1 draw at home to Southend and a disappointing home stalemate with lowly Cambridge.

Kenny Jackett will be forced to shuffle his pack on Tuesday night, with Alan Tate, Roberto Martinez and Brian Murphy all back in the frame for a return to the starting line-up. Swansea are likely to be without first choice goalkeeper Willy Gueret, after the Frenchman suffered a minor strain in Swansea's 1-1 draw with Southend, while stand-in captain Andy Gurney is also doubtful with a contact injury. Full-back Sam Ricketts is away on international duty with Wales, while long-term injury victims James Thomas, Kevin Nugent and Kris O'Leary continue to watch on in frustration from the stands. Adrian Forbes, who scored an injury time winner when these teams last met in 2004 will also be missing after sustaining an injury in Swansea's 3-0 victory over Chester 10 days ago.

Mansfield will definitely be without the suspended Luke Dimech, while David Artell and highly-rated young defender Rhys Day are ruled-out with injury. Colin Larkin could return to the side after "clear-the-air" talks with manager Carlton Palmer.