Billy Dearden has told his squad that any new signings made before Mansfield's FA Cup game with Middlesbrough will not be involved in the tie.The Stags' boss revealed earlier this week that he has made a number of enquiries about players - one of them being a player at a Championship club - after losing to Dagenham in the race to sign Peter Gain.

Dearden is hopeful that a deal can be done before Boro's visit to Field Mill in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.

However, he insists he will stick with his current squad for the televised game.

"If I bring someone in then they are not going to be involved," said Dearden. "I want to give the lads who have got us this far the chance to play against Middlesbrough."

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