It's been a difficult start to 2007 for Paul Mayo, with the full back having been diagnosed with glandular fever in February and forced to spend almost a month on the sidelines while he recovered from the virus. As a result, Mayo has lost his place in the Lincoln first team but on Saturday he came on as a late substitute to help the Imps to an important 1-0 victory against Barnet. That win leaves City in fourth spot, just three points behind MK Dons, and this weekend the club faces another crucial fixture when they entertain fellow promotion hopefuls Swindon. Givemefootball's Mark Shail is the man with the questions.
Q:WHAT'S THE LATEST ON YOUR FITNESS?
A:Unfortunately I contracted glandular fever a month or so ago and that really knocked my back for about three weeks. I knew something wasn't right because I was feeling unusually tired during training. I was feeling shattered and heavy legged so I had a blood test and that confirmed that I had caught the virus.
Q:THAT MUST HAVE BEEN A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT AT THIS CRUCIAL STAGE OF THE SEASON?
A:It was very frustrating but it just one of things you have to deal with and hopefully it's all behind me now. Sometimes when you get glandular fever you can suffer from an enlarged spleen but I've had all the tests and been given the okay. I've come on a substitute in the last few games so at least I'm back in the manager's thoughts.
Q:AND THAT WAS A BIG WIN AGAINST BARNET ON SATURDAY?
A:It was, we weren't at our best and in many ways we made hard work of it because we didn't take our chances in the second half. But the win keeps us in the hunt at the top of the table and there's still everything to play for.
Q:AT THIS STAGE OF THE SEASON IS IT ALL ABOUT RESULTS RATHER THAN PERFORMANCE?
A:You always want to play well and win in style but we'll take a victory any which way we can get it at the moment. Sometimes, when you're not playing at your best, you have to grind out results and that’s what we did against Barnet. That win means we are still just three points behind MK Dons and this weekend we've got another big one at home to Swindon.
Q:YOU MUST BE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT ONE?
A:Yes, it's a match that neither side can afford to lose but at the same time a draw probably isn't ideal for either of us. But we're the home team so the onus will be on us to take the game to Swindon and if we can win that one it will give us a lot of confidence going into the last seven games of the season.
Q:THE TOP OF THE TABLE IS LOOKING VERY TIGHT, ISN'T IT?
A:Hartlepool have been on an unbelievable run and on their current form they look like they might run away with the title but there are probably five other sides battling for the two other automatic promotion spots – of which we are one. There is certainly a lot at stake in the last few games but we are still in with a great chance.
Q:I SUPPOSE A PLAY-OFF SPOT WOULDN'T BE THE END OF THE WORLD?
A:No it wouldn't, especially with the play-off final being at the new Wembley, but having got so close we would much prefer to avoid the lottery of the play-offs. We've been there four times before and not managed to go up so we don't want to go through all that again.
