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Mansfield have appointed Billy Dearden as manager for a second time. Dearden, who managed the Stags for two and a half years up to January 2002, has been out of management since leaving Notts County nearly three years ago.
Torquay have released goalkeeper Nathan Abbey after failing to agree a new deal with the player. He became the only person this season to stop a Rob Purdie penalty in Torquay's draw at Edgar Street a couple of weeks ago but was only offered a one month extension to his deal that ran out after Boxing Day. Meanwhile, the club are to investigate the actions of their own stewards after several Torquay fans claimed they were assaulted by them after the Boxing Day home defeat to MK Dons.
Notts County are to let veteran midfielder Tom Curtis join Nuneaton on loan for a month. The 33 year old has had an injury plagued season after County won the race to sign him in the summer. Stevenage winger George Boyd, a recent target of Peterboro, is being tracked by Crystal Palace with a view to a January move.
The England National Game XI are set to face more competition in their European Challenge Trophy with Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Eire all set to join the action for next season with a revamped group format for the eight sides.
