Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane provides fitness updates on trio and why he won't 'punish' players on Christmas Day

Phillips came off with a knock in last weekend's 3-0 loss at Exeter City, while McGoldrick was not involved in the game in Devon due to a slight injury issue.

Meanwhile, Josh Earl, who has been struggling with a back problem, could also be involved against the Stags if he comes through training, providing a welcome option at left-back for Hourihane.

On Phillips, Hourihane said: "He's come through fine.

"There was no issue with Phillo from that point of view, injury-wise.

"We're hoping Josh Earl is going to be OK and back and fit. Josh has had a really frustrating period in terms of injury.

"He's just not (been) quite getting over it. He's needed to be on the grass for a couple of days and then there's (been) a reoccurrence of it.

"But we're hoping now that he's through it and he's had a couple of decent days on the grass again. And we're really hoping that he can now be having a good day today (Tuesday) and be involved in the Mansfield game.

"Didzy (McGoldrick) has been back on the grass, which is positive. We're hoping that he'll be available for selection for Mansfield.

"And Georgie (Gent) and Nathanael Ogbeta have still got a couple of weeks to go."

Meanwhile, Hourihane has confirmed that his players will not train on Christmas Day and will spend time with their families ahead of back-to-back home games.

And the Reds chief insisted he had no urge to 'punish' his players after last weekend's poor display and result at Exeter - by bringing them in on December 25.

He continued: "No, it's Christmas Day off. So we'll have been in yesterday (Monday), today and Christmas Eve and have three really good days.

"And then we'll have Christmas Day off and ready to come back for Mansfield and Boxing Day.

"It was a completely mixed bag when I was a player. Some (Christmases) in, some off. Some (where) we have to travel obviously for the distance.

"I don't think it's a case of what's wrong and what's right. What is wrong and right? You do things and it works and you do things and it doesn't work.

"And that's just day-to-day stuff as well. And I don't think it's fair for a punishment now after Exeter and go 'You're in Christmas Day, lads'.

"That's not in my DNA, let's say, to change things like that. I'm always very consistent.

"We analysed the (Exeter) game yesterday. We try and become better, whether it's win-lose or draw constantly.

"I used to get really frustrated with managers and you lose on a Saturday and 'you're in on a Sunday, lads'. That's just not for me.

"Be really consistent with your energy and your emotions and you hope that gets repaid from the lads as well on top of that."