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Stags trial New Zealand captain

MANSFIELD TOWN player-manager Keith Curle has added two more defensive trialists to his Division Three squad for pre-season.

New Zealand international captain Chris Zoricich (pictured) and former Rotherham United defender David Artell will train with The Stags, as the duo look to impress enough to earn a contract at Field Mill.

Zoricich, 34, comes to the Nottinghamshire outfit following a recent spell on international duty with The All Whites in the Confederations Cup in France last month.

He has played his club football recently in Australia with National Soccer League side Newcastle United.

Artell comes to Field Mill following his release by The Millers at the season's end, having spent most of last season in the Third Division with Shrewsbury Town.

Curle will be keen to plug Mansfield's leaky backline next season and stated his hope to bring in more faces during pre-season.

"I have spoken to one or two other players about joining us for pre-season training and I am now waiting to hear back from them or their agents," said Curle.

"I have given them a rough guideline of our pay structure and the ball is in their court.

"In fairness, they have probably taken that figure and rung round to hawk themselves around, which is understandable and I wouldn't condemn them for doing it."