Alex Baptiste

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Alex John-Baptiste (born 31 January 1986 in Sutton-in-Ashfield) is an English footballer who currently plays at Mansfield Town. Baptiste usually plays in central defence, but he has also occasionally played at right-back or as a defensive midfielder.

At 5-foot-11, Baptiste is somewhat undersized for a central defender. However, he makes up for his lack of size with his pace and positioning skill. Nonetheless, many observers believe full-back would be a more natural position for the player.

Baptiste began his career at Mansfield, and made his first-team debut at age 17 in March 2003. Following loan spells at Tamworth and Burton, he established himself as first-choice central defender at Field Mill towards the end of the 2003/04 season.

Despite his young age, Baptiste has already played more than 100 matches for the Stags, and is regarded as one of the most promising young players in League Two. His name has at various times been linked with Championship clubs, including Derby, Sheffield United and Watford, but for the time being, he remains at Field Mill. His contract at Mansfield expires at the end of the 2006/07 season.

There are strong rumours circulating that Leeds United are interested in Baptiste and see him as an ideal partner for England U-21 classy defender Matthew Kilgallon. A deal is expected to be completed by either the end of the August transfer window or, in the alternative, in the January transfer window.

Baptiste has strongly hinted that he would be delighted to join such a large club and that if he does leave Mansfield Town that he would 'love to return their later in his career' as it was the club which gave him 'my big chance..'

Mansfield Town F.C. - Current Squad
1 White | 2 Mullins | 3 Jelleyman | 4 D'Laryea | 5 Hjelde | 6 Baptiste | 7 Hamshaw | 8 Dawson | 9 Barker | 10 Brown | 11 M. Boulding | 12 Buxton | 14 Beardsley | 15 Coke | 16 Arnold | 19 Muggleton | 21 Charlton | 22 Lloyd | 23 Sleath | 24 Wood | 25 McIntosh | 30 R. Boulding | 31 Reet | Manager: Shirtliff