Mansfield manager Paul Holland has not given up hope of Alex John-Baptiste playing for the Stags in the Blue Square Premier next season.The long-serving defender handed in a transfer request following the club's relegation from the Football League, which was reluctantly accepted.

The 22-year-old still has two years left on his contract at Field Mill and would command a fee.

And Holland knows that Mansfield will not be forced to sell unless they get what they consider to be a fair offer for one of their prized assets.

"He feels he can still play in the Football League and you couldn't begrudge him that," Holland told the Chad. "But no-one has rung me up about him, even if they have contacted someone else.

"And if someone doesn't come in with the right price, he is still a Mansfield Town player. It is by no means certain that he is going to go."

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