Mansfield Town's Lucas Akins Set for Return After Prison Sentence
Jailed footballer Lucas Akins has been included in Mansfield Town's squad for the current season and will be eligible to resume his career upon his release.
The 36-year-old began serving a 14-month prison sentence in April after pleading guilty to causing the death of a cyclist due to careless driving in March 2022.
Akins is expected to be eligible for release after serving half of his sentence, with the remaining seven months to be completed on license. This means he could potentially play for the League One side before Christmas.
In May, when Mansfield announced its retained list, the club indicated that it was "continuing to consider its position" regarding the striker, whose contract was believed to have expired at the end of the previous season.
The squad lists published on the English Football League website confirm which players are under contract and registered for the season.
In response to inquiries from BBC Sport about the squad list, Mansfield stated: "The club will review Lucas' position as and when he is released from custody and will make no further comment at this time."
Akins was a member of the Mansfield team when the fatal incident occurred more than three years ago. Adrian Daniel, 33, died ten days after being struck by a Mercedes G350 driven by Akins near Huddersfield.
During the subsequent trial, Akins continued to play for the Stags until his incarceration, having started a League One match just hours after pleading guilty at Leeds Crown Court on March 4.
Following Akins' sentencing, Stags manager Nigel Clough expressed that the jail term was an "unbelievable shock" to the club.
Akins has made over 150 appearances for Mansfield since joining the club in January 2022 from Burton Albion, where he also played under Clough.