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Mansfield Town duo arrive on loan.    
Feb 5, 2025

We are delighted to announce the arrival of Darien Wauchope and McKeal Abdullah on loan from EFL League One side Mansfield Town, subject to League and FA approval. 
The duo arrive at the Microlise New Manor Ground on loan until the end of April.
Commenting on the new signings, first-team manager Ian Deakin said: “We are delighted, obviously McKeal’s had a taste of this level of football with Basford, I’ve known both of them since they were 16 years old and I’ve watched them develop over the past five years and turn into really good players.
“They will add depth and quality to our squad, with an attacking threat in McKeal and Darien’s pace and quality down the left-hand side as well. It’s good competition for places” Deakin added: “We’ve got different types of strikers at the football club, McKeal is very hardworking up front, got good quality, he’s left-footed, so it gives us a different threat up front with Alex Hardwick and Harvey Kirby-Moore up there as well – and that’s what I want, competition for places and people striving to get into the team and keeping their shirt.”
Abdullah arrives after a loan spell with our Northern Premier League rivals Basford United, where he made 22 appearances and scored six goals in all competitions. The 19-year-old forward is a Pakistan international and made his debut as a substitute against Saudi Arabia in the Qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup 2026 last Summer. . On making the move to Ilkeston Town, Abdullah said: “Really excited to meet all the lads and the staff and hopefully push for promotion. “It’s a tough league from the top end to the bottom, anyone can beat anyone but it’s a great challenge to develop as a player and hopefully score some goals.”
Wauchope made his first-team debut at Mansfield Town alongside Abdullah earlier this season in the EFL Trophy against Bradford City. The 20-year-old defender spent the second-half of last season on loan at NPL Midlands side Anstey Nomads where he made 20 appearances as the Nomads finished runners-up in the division. Speaking ahead of his first training session with the team, Wauchope said: “I’ve known Deaks for quite a long time, he brought me to Mansfield and I trust him as a coach and as a person, so I know he will help develop me into a good player and I am looking forward to getting started.”