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Shirtliff battles to keep Coke
Stags boss Peter Shirtliff is still hopeful Giles Coke will be a Mansfield player next season - even though he has rejected a two-year deal.
The 19-year-old midfielder has been one of the rising stars as the Stags have dragged themselves from relegation favourites to promotion contenders.
But, after advice from his agent, he has opted not to sign a new contract.
"Giles has been offered a two-year deal, which he has turned down and that is the situation as it stands at the moment," said Shirtliff.
"It's his prerogative but negotiations can carry on and they are not dead in the water.
"We are going to try to keep him at the club, but he is taking advice from his agent so we'll have to see.
"He is a Mansfield player and under 24, so even if Giles does decide to leave there is a compensation issue."
Shirtliff is annoyed that Coke's situation is detracting from Mansfield's late push for the play-offs.
He is also amazed that the former Kingstonian youngster is being linked with Championship clubs after just one season in League Two.
"There is a lot of speculation and nonsense about the whole thing, to be honest," he said.
"We are still involved in what could be a vital part of our season and I don't know why it can't wait until the summer. It is baffling sometimes.
"The speculation is unbelievable. He's 19 years of age, he's played 40 games and all of a sudden he is going to Reading, Wolves or somewhere else.
"Reading are going up to the Premiership and is Giles ready to play in the Premiership yet? I'm not so sure.
"Carlton (Palmer) signed him from non-league football and he has done well after I have given him a run in the side.
"It has worked in both our favours him being at Mansfield, but I still think he has a long way to go."
Last Saturday's win over Oxford has put Mansfield within five points of the play-offs with six games to go.
But Shirtliff insists it is still unlikely the Stags will finish in the top seven - because they will need to take maximum points from virtually every match, starting at Lincoln tomorrow
He said: "I think it's a tall order and we probably have to win five of our last six games remaining."
Rhys Day missed the Oxford game after suffering a dead leg but is back in contention after scoring in the reserves' 3-1 win at Derby on Monday.
Gareth Jelleyman (knee ligaments) and Simon Brown (hernia) both face fitness tests.
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Mansfield CHAD:
STAGS - Coke rejects new deal at Field Mill
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PROMISING teenage midfielder Giles Coke has rejected the offer of a new two-year deal at Mansfield Town.
But Stags boss Peter Shirtliff has not given up hopes of keeping the 19-year-old playmaker at Field Mill.
Already there have been suggestions Coke, who signed for Stags from non-League Kingstonian last season, could be off somewhere like Premiership-bound Reading or Wolves.
But Shirtliff said: "Giles has turned down a two-year deal we have offered him, which is his prerogative, and that's how it stand at the moment.
"We are still talking and we are still hopeful. It is not dead and buried.
"But he will obviously be getting advice from his agent.
"That's the game these days. And some of the speculation about him is unbelievable and nonsense.
"Agents get involved and spread rumours. Then the press get involved and it all snowballs.
"Giles was a good signing by Carlton. We have been good for his game and he has been good for us.
"I have given him a run in the team and he has done well. But he still has a way to go yet.
"He is out of contract this summer. But we do have an option on him and he is under 24 so there would be compensation involved if he left.
"This is an important part of the season and I don't know why it couldn't wait until the end."
Already there have been suggestions Coke, who signed for Stags from non-League Kingstonian last season, could be off somewhere like Premiership-bound Reading or Wolves.
But Shirtliff said: "Giles has turned down a two-year deal we have offered him, which is his prerogative, and that's how it stand at the moment.
"We are still talking and we are still hopeful. It is not dead and buried.
"But he will obviously be getting advice from his agent.
"That's the game these days. And some of the speculation about him is unbelievable and nonsense.
"Agents get involved and spread rumours. Then the press get involved and it all snowballs.
"Giles was a good signing by Carlton. We have been good for his game and he has been good for us.
"I have given him a run in the team and he has done well. But he still has a way to go yet.
"He is out of contract this summer. But we do have an option on him and he is under 24 so there would be compensation involved if he left.
"This is an important part of the season and I don't know why it couldn't wait until the end."