Holdsworth has signed eleven new players this summer

Mansfield Town manager David Holdsworth has brought his pre-season plans forward by three days as his players have responded so well since returning.

Holdsworth told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I'm delighted with the condition the boys have come back in.

"The players have got the ability to take on board more than I expected them to do so far, so I've brought my plans forward three days."

The Stags squad is heading to Cumbria for a night on Wednesday.

The trip is designed as a team building exercise, with Holdsworth hoping it will help his eleven new signings settle in.

He said: "It's a team bonding day but also, by day nine, you've seen enough of the running machines and the treadmills and plenty of the ball.

"The boys will be doing some raft building so they'll be chopping down some trees and canoeing.

"We're also going to put a quiz on to see how bright they are and just have a chat, it'll be good fun and the boys will enjoy it."

The players will also be gorge felling which, as Holdsworth explains, is where "you submerge yourself into ice-cold water," adding, "it's exhilarating, absolutely wonderful."

Meanwhile, the Stags boss has praised striker Daryl Clare for the way he has returned for pre-season.

Clare has been training on his own for the whole of the summer in a bid to return to full fitness.

Holdsworth said: "I can't speak highly enough of Daryl, he's showing his leadership qualities in the dressing room.

"I believe he could become a talisman this season and let's hope he can do."

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