MANSFIELD Town boss Paul Cox says being forced to change his side for the first time in four games is far from ideal.

Captain John Dempster was sent off in extra-time for violent conduct against Slough Town in their FA Cup replay, which ended with Stags going through 4-1 on penalties on Tuesday night.

Dempster had started to form a solid defensive partnership with Exodus Geohaghon of late but will now serve a three-match ban.

This will force Cox into a reshuffle, but the Stags manager believes the new-found togetherness in the camp will shine through.

John Thompson is the likely benefactor for Sunday's home match with Luton, the trip to Macclesfield 48 hours later and then the FA Trophy clash with Matlock Town.

Cox said: "I thought the centre back pairing was really coming together and I have kept the same side for the third game running because it was developing and the first half the other night, we played some good stuff again.

"We will be forced into a change, which is not ideal, but it is a chance for somebody to step forward and stake a claim for a regular place.

"You look at the mind-set of the lads and there seems to be a togetherness now. You could see that from the penalty shoot-out.

"Each and every one were celebrating together and we need to celebrate success and winning football matches.

"I said to the lads don't be despondent at going through on penalties, it is about getting through and we did that.

"I am happy to be in the second round to go to Lincoln and look forward to two local cup games, with Matlock also coming up."

IN seven days time the loan window swings shut and, with it, the last chance for Sean O'Driscoll to add to his defensively depleted squad, until January at least, will pass.

With Sam Hutchinson on a long road to recovery with a knee injury and Daniel Ayala and Dan Harding both having struggled with hamstring problems recently, you might presume that O'Driscoll would be busily scouring the loan market.

But, while the back four Forest fielded at Leicester City last weekend comprised of the only four defenders Forest had fit and available, the manager has no such plans.

At first glance, such a stance sounds like madness. But, dig a little deeper, and there is more than a little logic to it. In fact, it makes perfect sense.

Because, while it might solve a short-term problem, if Forest were to go out and make another addition to tide them over, it would not address the potential issues that are looming on the horizon further down the line.

When you listen to him, O'Driscoll's slow, considered way of delivering his opinions can often disguise the fact the majority of what he says makes absolute sense.

The impact, colour and significance of what he has said is often only revealed when you have typed it out and read it back in black and white.

And, of all the sensible observations the manager has made in recent weeks, perhaps the most relevant, over the next seven days, is this: "We have a full quota of loan players and you don't want too many," he said.

"It is difficult to keep players motivated when they are yours; when they are under contract – if they are loan players and they are not in the team, it can become a massive problem when it comes to the environment that you work in."

O'Driscoll's concern is not so much that loan signings are not committed or dedicated. The performances of Billy Sharp and Daniel Ayala, in particular, would provide plenty of evidence to the contrary.

But having a dressing room full of players who might not be at the club beyond next summer or, in some cases, even beyond this January, is not a healthy formula for long-term stability or unity.

Forest already have six loan players who fit into that category; whose long-term futures are uncertain.

Jermaine Jenas, James Coppinger, and Elliott Ward's loan deals all expire in January, or before, while Hutchinson could go back to Chelsea if his injury does not improve.

But they also have seven other players whose destiny is yet to be decided – in the form of those who are out of contract in the summer.

Forest were recently successful in persuading Chris Cohen to put pen to paper on a new deal.

But there remains uncertainty over the likes of Lee Camp, Andy Reid, Radi Majewski, Dexter Blackstock, Lewis McGugan and Brendan Moloney.

Camp and Blackstock have both been in negotiations, but are not understood to be immediately close to reaching a successful conclusion.

While Marcus Tudgay's future almost certainly lies elsewhere, after he joined Barnsley on loan yesterday, with a view to a permanent move.

So, not including Matt Derbyshire and Ishmael Miller, who are also out on loan – and seem surplus to requirements, but have another season remaining on their Forest contracts – Forest have only 11 senior players who are still tied to the club next season.

In contrast, there are 13 who do not know if they will be playing for Forest next season.

In the case of Sharp, Ayala and Elliott Ward, Forest may try to make the loan moves more permanent.

And, while one or two could leave for nothing in the same manner as Garath McCleary, Luke Chambers and Joel Lynch, it would be a shock if some of them do not agree new deals.

The chance to be part of things at Forest, under the Al-Hasawi family, is far more alluring now than it was last summer, before they had arrived and the future of the club was in doubt.

But, with more than half his senior players walking an uncertain path, you can understand O'Driscoll's reticence to add more short-term additions. Instead, his priorities are likely to be very different.

Given the circumstances; given the late stage at which both new owners and manager were installed, Forest did well to patch together a squad of any sort. With just weeks to go before the season, Forest did not even have a back four. Loan signings were a necessity, rather than a choice.

But, while it was a case of needs must so far, January will provide the chance to secure more permanent solutions. In the summer, O'Driscoll found a way to plug the hole in the bucket. In January, Forest can invest in a new bucket.

IF anyone notices an unexpected, lingering odour at the City Ground on Saturday, there is a perfectly normal explanation.

Forest are not planning to open up an Italian or French restaurant to bolster their match-day income, nor do they fear an imminent plague of vampires.

But visitors to the stadium this week will have noticed an overpowering smell of .. garlic.

Indeed, yesterday, you could almost taste it, if you stood by the side of the pitch. Outside of Paris, nowhere in the world can have smelt more strongly of the stuff.

But then, there was a man on a tractor spraying hundreds of gallons of garlic extract all over the pitch, for most of the afternoon.

Being the kind of person who intentionally brought a house with a patio, to avoid any kind of mower related nonsense, I'm not familiar which such things.

But the ground staff, in between holding their breath, happily informed us that there is no better way to prevent certain types of fungus growing in grass.

Apparently, the cocktail they were using had been mixed with lavender to take the edge off. If so, I'd hate to experience the pure version. Hopefully the overpowering, eye-watering whiff will have dissipated by Saturday.

But, if it hasn't, you can expect sales of garlic bread to treble in Felicini shortly after the final whistle.

POLICE are investigating after a body was discovered in Colwick Park yesterday.

Officers put a cordon around the scene after they were called out at about 2.20pm.

Inquiries are under way to try to identify the person and establish the circumstances of the death.

MORE than 50 people contacted the Environment Agency in one night complaining about "toxic smells" from the Dorket Head landfill site this week.

The agency, which monitors the site off Woodborough Lane, had 59 complaints from residents on Wednesday night. Most were from 5pm to 8pm.

Residents, who are pursuing a compensation claim against operator FCC Environment, say there have been problems with smells for ten years, but feel the issue has become worse in the past two years.

The Environment Agency says it is aware of the issue but has been unable to identify what is causing the problems.

George Rose, 66, of Brechin Close, was among those who contacted the agency. He said: "I have no faith in the Environment Agency. The smell on Wednesday night was absolutely awful."

A spokeswoman for campaign group Arnold Against Landfill said she was unable to go to sleep until 4am because of the stench. "We taped up our doors and windows and still had the smell in our house. Arnold was engulfed by the smell," she said. "I would describe the smells as acrid, gassy and rotting. When it's strong, it stings the eyes and makes your throat sore.

"Everyone is concerned for their health."

Howard Usher, 39, of Shandwick Close, complained to the agency. He said: "It's not a tip smell we're complaining about. We would be able to cope with a smell of rubbish, but this is a very strong suffocating smell."

Following the complaints, the agency sent out officers on Wednesday night, who described the odour as "strong".

An agency spokeswoman said: "During the time our officer was on the site the odour appeared to be dispersing.

"The officer did not experience any adverse health symptoms. If the public have concerns over the impact of landfills on their health they should contact their GP, local primary care trust or health board."

The agency said it was carrying out gas monitoring yesterday and said it would work with FCC Environment "to establish what caused the odour and how it can be prevented from happening again".

Will Gander, regional operations manager at FCC Environment, said Tuesday's problems had been caused by a gas leak, triggered by a pressure drop in the air, combined with the wind stopping at 3pm.

He added: "We do not believe there to be any impact on health. If residents have any concerns, we urge them to contact us on 0115 967 3446 or e-mail dorket.head@fccenvironment.co.uk".

He said the company would start on Monday installing permanent gas wells as part of its gas management system to reduce possible odour leakages.

Are you affected? Call newsdesk on 0115 948 2000 or e-mail newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk

AN 85-year-old man died after a collision in Ruddington.

Dennis Elliott, of Ruddington, was walking in the street when he was involved in a collision with a van in Elms Park at about 1.30pm last Friday.

He was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre but died in hospital as a result of his injuries on Tuesday.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident to call the Crash Investigation Team on 101, extension 800 2225, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

NOTTINGHAM world champion Carl Froch and challenger Yusaf Mack will come together for the last time today before he puts his IBF title on the line at the Capital FM Arena tomorrow night.

The pair are set to go face-to-face for the weigh-in at the Albert Hall in the city at 1pm ahead of their super-middleweight bout.

And the public are being urged to head to the venue to show their support for three-time world champion Froch.

The 35-year-old is a big favourite to win the headline bout on the 'True Brit' bill after his demolition of previously unbeaten Lucian Bute in Nottingham back in May.

And while his Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn is already looking at super bouts with the likes of Bute, Mikkel Kessler and Andre Ward for 2013, he insists his fighter is not looking beyond the threat of American Mack, who has recently fought at light-heavyweight.

But Hearn also knows another devastating display by the Cobra will only make him more of an household name in Britain ahead of an exciting 2013.

Hearn said: "Carl is focused solely on this fight, nothing else. He is not looking beyond the dangerous threat of Mack. I take care of that side of things.

"Carl likes a fight but is intelligent too and puts on a great show. This will be no different.

"The British public get behind him as their number one fighter and when he steps into the ring, he puts everything on the line.

"Mack will find that out and that is why Carl is such a special fighter."

A RECORD number of people slept rough last night to raise £30,000 to help prevent homelessness in Notts.

Making shelter out of cardboard boxes, and wearing as many layers as possible, more than 370 people huddled together outside the Capital FM Arena.

Last night marked a milestone for Notts homelessness charity Framework as it was the 20th anniversary of the annual Big Sleep Out event.

A group of youngsters from the Keyworth Explorers, a section of the Scouts, were among the first to set up their cardboard boxes and were all wearing brightly-coloured "onesie" sleep suits.

Speaking to the Post last night as she was getting ready, 15-year-old Louise Cox, of Dale Road, Keyworth, said: "I've got school tomorrow and I've got GCSE English and history assessments and I'm sure I will feel exhausted but it will be worth it.

"It's a really good cause."

Megan Phoenix, 15, of Highbury Road, Keyworth, said: "I really wanted the experience. We've never done anything like this before. It will make us think more about why people are homeless and what it feels like."

Brother and sister Sampanah Dyer, 12, and Rhamahn Dyer, 15, of Simkin Avenue, Carlton, were camping out last night with their mother and a friend.

Sampanah said: "I'm excited and quite scared. It's the cold that scares me but I wanted to do it for charity. It's been fun putting the box together."

Her brother added: "It's really exciting but it's going to be a long night. It makes you think about the homeless. We take life for granted.

"It's unimaginable to do this every night throughout the winter."

The Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Councillor Leon Unczur, was also among the crowd last night as Framework is one of his two charities for the year.

The charity said it was overwhelmed by the level of public support for the event. It was the first year they had to close the registration because they were over-subscribed.

The charity's chief executive Andrew Redfern said: "This event has been going in one form or another for the last 20 years – but we have never had a response quite like this.

"It is overwhelming to see so many people of all different ages and backgrounds here tonight. Sleeping in the open for a whole night takes a great deal of determination and everyone here tonight can be rightly proud of their efforts."

All money raised from the event will go towards preventing homelessness and stopping people from sleeping rough.

This includes legal work to stop repossessions and evictions and support for people with debt, mental health, drug and alcohol problems.

A 57-YEAR-OLD man who falsely claimed benefits worth more than £22,700 is in police custody after a three-year investigation.

Warehouseman Peter McConnachie, who has lived in Keyworth, West Bridgford and Ruddington, claimed housing benefit, council tax benefit and incapacity benefit since 2006 but failed to declare wages.

Rushcliffe Borough Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) started investigating the claims in 2009. Investigators discovered he had been overpaid more than £22,700 after failing to declare he had been working.

At Nottingham Magistrates' Court on April 27 he pleaded guilty to seven separate indictments.

McConnachie, who now lives in Burton-on-the-Wolds, Leicestershire, failed to attend his sentencing but has now been arrested and remanded in custody until his sentencing on Monday, November 26.

THREE men are being questioned by detectives in connection with the stabbing of a man in the city centre at the weekend.

Police arrested the men on suspicion of attempted murder yesterday morning. They have now been granted more time to continue their questioning. Two of them are aged 19 and one aged 21. All are from Nottingham.

The 27-year-old victim, who was found in Long Row at 1.45am on Sunday, is said to be showing signs of improvement in hospital, but is still in a serious condition.

Police have also released details of his appearance and what he was wearing at the time of the attack in a bid to jog the memories of potential witnesses.

He was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre with critical injuries after the incident, which happened near the Primark store.

Police say the victim was wearing a light grey sweat-shirt, featuring an image on the front of a bearded man wearing a bobble hat. He is of mixed race, around 5ft 10ins tall and of a muscular build. He has closely cropped, dark hair.

He has so far been too unwell to be interviewed by police, but detectives hope to speak to him in the next few days.

A Notts Police spokeswoman said yesterday: "Over the last two days he has shown encouraging signs of improvement and remains in hospital in a stable condition.

"Detectives are still appealing to witnesses or anyone with any information about the incident to call them."

Detective Inspector Keith Priest, one of the investigating officers in the case, said: "The top worn by the victim that night made him quite distinctive. We believe the attack took place near the Brian Clough statue not long before the victim was found. We also think a number of people were involved."

He asked anyone who was out in the city on the night to get in touch if they saw anything suspicious.

Officers will also be handing out leaflets and speaking with revellers at the scene and at pubs and clubs in the city centre on Saturday night to get more information.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Notts Police on 101, quoting incident 119 of November 11, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

NOTTS County boss Keith Curle believes his squad has developed such a unity and spirit in their quest for promotion that the changing room can almost police itself.

The Magpies are fifth in League One after 17 games and are unbeaten away from home since Curle took over back in February, ahead of travelling to struggling Scunthorpe tomorrow afternoon.

It all comes after the manager rebuilt his squad in the summer with a series of new additions, despite only missing out on the play-offs on goal difference last time.

But he feels the team bond is now plain to see, with a tight dressing room full of different personalities.

It is already evident on the likes of Twitter, where Gary Liddle, Neal Bishop and Alan Judge are at the heart of the banter.

And Curle insists that could prove vital as they look to build on a solid first third to the campaign and climb into the Championship.

The manager said: "You never fully know when you put a new squad together what will happen. You do your background checks on the players you bring in to find out about their characters and the pleasing thing for me is seeing it come together.

"The team spirit, the work ethic – it growing by the week. It does not happen overnight, but it is nice to see it coming together with the lads.

"We are almost getting to the stage where the changing room is, in a way, self-managed. They are demanding a high level from each other and everyone has an understanding of the personalities within the squad.

"They all know who needs an arm around each other, who responds to a kick up the backside. They know the way to get the best out of each other."

Notts are three points off the automatic promotion places and Curle believes the division is now taking its true shape.

"I looked at the beginning of the season and said judge us after 16 games, a third of the season gone," he said.

"That is when I thought the table would take some sort of shape.

"We are up there and I would say probably 12 to 14 teams are in and around that shake up."

OFCOM has said it will take another look at plans to award a local TV licence to Notts TV.

The broadcasting regulator has said it will made a decision to award the licence early next week following errors in the application process..

The Nottingham licence will be reconsidered along with the licence to run a TV channel in Sheffield.

An Ofcom spokesman said: "In order to ensure absolute fairness and clarity for all applicants, and in line with Ofcom's high standards, we have decided that the decision on the Nottingham local TV licence will be retaken.

"This follows small errors found in the consideration of the applications."

Craig Chettle, owner and MD of the Confetti Media Group led a consortium, which includes the Nottingham Post. It was previously told it had won the bid. Mr Chettle said: "We look forward to the issues that have been raised being resolved as quickly as possible."

POLICE suspect a body found in Colwick Park on Wednesday is that of a missing Sneinton woman.

Sandra Williams, 48, disappeared after last being seen at her home during the early hours of Saturday, October 20.

A member of the public found the body in the park at about 2.20pm on Wednesday and police set a cordon up around the area.

A Notts Police spokeswoman confirmed yesterday evening officers now believe the body is that of Ms Williams.

A post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death was due to take place in the city today.

A GEDLING woman has admitted her role in an internet scam which cost investors more than £500,000.

Joanne Marston was a director of Tenretni, a company which sold websites and a training package so that people could carry out "affiliate marketing"– earning commission from promoting other companies' products on their website.

The scam involved promising large monthly incomes to people who each invested between £15,000 and 30,000.

These incomes never materialised – but investors were still encouraged to pay more to supposedly increase their earning potential.

At Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday, Marston, 30, of Brooklands Drive, and her fellow director Michael Taylor, 45, of Cwrt Naomi, North Dock, Llanelli, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud.

Marston and Taylor provided themselves with false testimonials. They befriended people pretending to be fellow investors happy to sell half their investment to them.

But no one was making money and money-back guarantees were not honoured, the court was told.

Three other defendants, Alun Killa, 69, of Heol Waun y Clun, Trimsaran, Wales; his daughter Nerys Lloyd Johansen, 41, of Heol Waun y Clun, Trimsaran, Wales; and Christopher David Young, 36, from Birmingham, had conspiracy to defraud charges against them dropped.

After the hearing Mr Killa, speaking on behalf of himself and his daughter Nerys, said the issue had dragged on for three years, and he was happy and relieved it was over.

He felt they should never have been involved in the case, adding: "Our innocence has been completely vindicated. It is great to have closure to it all."

The case was adjourned until Friday, December 14, for sentencing. Taylor and Marston were remanded on bail.

THE body of a 54-year-old man has been found in a Derbyshire canal.

A member of the public called 999 after spotting the body floating in the water near Lock Lane, Sandiacre, shortly before 9am on Wednesday.

Police said the man was from Stapleford and his next of kin have been informed.

There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances and a file is being prepared for the coroner.

A spokesman for the coroner's office said it had been made aware of the death but a date for the inquest opening had yet to be set.

AS Notts County take to the road for their trip to Scunthorpe, Keith Curle admits he is loving his second chance in management.

The Magpies travel to Glanford Park unbeaten on their travels under Curle since his appointment back in February, a remarkable record stretching back 17 games.

It is the foundations for Notts sitting fifth in League One and right in the promotion mix.

Despite indifferent form at home, all in all, it is mainly good for Curle and his troops.

And almost a decade on from his first job in management, at Mansfield Town, he believes he is now a more honest boss.

Curle, who led Stags to the old Division Three play-off final in 2004 and then managed Chester and briefly Torquay before becoming a number two to Neil Warnock at Crystal Palace and QPR, said: "First and foremost I think of myself as very fortunate and lucky to get an opportunity to manager a club like this.

"The oldest Football League club, one with such history and I am very proud.

"I also know not many people get a second chance so I am delighted to get it.

"During my time with Neil, I have gained much more knowledge and because of that, I am able to enjoy management a lot more this time around.

"From the experience gained, I know not to overreact and react in different ways to what I have done before.

"Sometimes I did not shy away from confrontation, so in some respects that has changed and there is a real honesty to my management which I think is appreciated by players, staff and supporters alike."

The season is now a third of the way through and Curle knows his side have to put the struggling Iron to bed if they are to continue to be contenders for going up.

Scunthorpe have won just once on home soil in the league but a have a new manager in Brian Laws.

However, despite a change in power at Glanford Park, Curle is still confident Notts can extend their unbeaten away run with a victory.

Curle said: "We are very proud of our away record, an ongoing record, but we know it is not easy to keep it going.

"Scunthorpe have had a change of manager but so had Coventry and Colchester and we still went to those places and took care of business.

"But we are mindful of the fact a new manager has come in and it makes them a threat.

"We have paid exactly the same attention to detail as all the other games, we know their strengths and in Leon Clarke they have a player who is scoring goals and I know all about him from QPR.

"Then there is Karl Hawley, who we had here. It is not going to be easy.

"But I am thoroughly enjoying my time back in management and will go there looking to keep this run going."