"A weird one" - Mansfield Town urged to take Aden Flint action | OneFootball

FLW's Mansfield Town fan pundit has given his view on whether captain Aden Flint should be offered a new contract.

This article is part of Football League World’s 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Mansfield Town defender Aden Flint is facing an uncertain future with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

Flint joined Mansfield on a free transfer last summer after his release by Stoke City, and he made a huge impact at the One Call Stadium, captaining Nigel Clough's side to promotion from League Two in his first season at the club.

The Stags kept 14 clean sheets in the league last term on the way to promotion, and Flint was recognised for his performances as he was named in the League Two Team of the Season.

Flint started the first three games of this season in League One, but the 35-year-old has been sidelined with injury since the end of August, missing the last six matches.

However, Mansfield have not been affected by Flint's absence so far, and after a run of five consecutive league victories, they currently sit third in the table, and they are level on points with second-placed Wrexham ahead of the home game against Stevenage on Saturday.

Mansfield Town fan pundit issues verdict on Aden Flint's future

When asked if Flint should be offered a new contract, FLW's Mansfield Town fan pundit Cam Felton urged the club to keep hold of the defender for at least another year, although he did admit that his age could be a problem.

"Aden Flint is a weird one I think personally because obviously he's a very good player and a fantastic leader, but his age is a big question," Cam said.

"It'll be down to whether his body feels right and whether Clough sees him in his plans.

"Obviously Alfie Kilgour is coming back to full fitness, so it'll be great to have them side-by-side, but we've got options such as Frazer Blake-Tracy and Baily Cargill, and Elliott Hewitt, George Williams and Jordan Bowery can play centre-back as well.

"We do have options to cover if we did decide not to renew his contract at the end of this season.

"Personally, I think we'd be better renewing his contract for at least another year.

"It depends on what division we're in, hopefully we'll still be in League One next season.

"I can't see us being in League Two with the start that we've had, we've just got to keep his momentum going, and having an extra body in would be very good."

It is difficult to disagree with Cam that Mansfield should offer Flint a new contract, even if he will not be a regular next season.

Flint is a vastly experienced defender, and leadership qualities have been crucial for the Stags since his arrival at the One Call Stadium last summer, so Clough may be keen to keep him around the dressing room for another year.

However, Flint's current injury problems may be a sign of things to come as he enters the latter stages of his career, and in truth, he has not been missed too much during his absence.

Mansfield operated with a makeshift back three of Jordan Bowery, Deji Oshilaja and George Williams in the 2-0 win over Blackpool last time out, but they have conceded just three league goals in the six games that Flint has been sidelined for, including keeping three consecutive clean sheets.