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Mansfield Town Football Club is to issue legal proceedings against Ilkeston FC after three Stags' players were injured during a friendly.

Mansfield boss Paul Cox abandoned the pre-season friendly away to Ilkeston on 3 August when defender John Thompson became the third player to be injured.

Thompson, 29, needed more than 40 stitches to a broken nose after a tackle by Ilkeston's Gary Ricketts.

A Mansfield Town spokesman said the club was suing for loss of earnings.

The club said Thompson would be unable to play until October.

In a statement on its website, the club said: "After dialogue between the clubs, Mansfield Town's chairman John Radford has since seen the match DVD and decided to issue legal proceedings.

"Thompson was in hospital after an incident involving Ilkeston's Gary Ricketts which took place during a friendly match.

"Fellow defenders Martin Riley and Ritchie Sutton were also taken to hospital following challenges from Ricketts."

Mark Stevenson, Mansfield Town's spokesman, said the club was issuing legal proceedings to newly-formed Ilkeston to recover loss of earnings for Thompson.

Ilkeston FC was unavailable for comment.

After the match, Ilkeston FC chairman Dave Mantle said striker Ricketts had been suspended while an inquiry took place.

Blue Square Bet Premier side Mansfield were leading Ilkeston, of Northern Premier Division One South, 4-2 when the game was abandoned with 17 minutes to go.

Ilkeston FC was set up in November 2010 after Ilkeston Town FC was wound up for failing to pay a £50,000 tax bill.