Ismail Yakubu is definitely OUT of Barnet's injury-hit defence ... posing a selection headache for manager Paul Fairclough as he celebrates the fourth anniversary of his arrival at Underhill.

The 22-year-old skipper and central defender saw a consultant on Thursday evening about recurring groin problems and is likely to be out of action for another fortnight. He then has another appointment with the consultant - "we are looking at a long term solution to this issue", said physiotherapist Mark Stein.

Fairclough, who said that he hoped that Yakubu would be back for games before the end of the season, has to pick a team to visit relegation candidates Mansfield Town without the injured trio, 31-year-old vice-captain Sagi Burton, Kenny Gillet and assistant manager Ian Hendon. Joe Devera has been treated for a tight hamstring, but both manager and physio are confident that he will be fit for Field Mill.

Fairclough has worked behind closed doors at the training ground on finding a solution to missing two of his three central defenders

It's four years since Martin Allen walked out on Barnet in midweek to join Brentford, followed three days later after a home game by his staff.

That Sunday produced an inspired SOS phone call by chairman Tony Kleanthous to Paul Fairclough, the England non-league manager and former boss of Stevenage Borough.

The following day, with senior professionals Ian Hendon and Danny Maddix "holding the fort", Fairclough moved in ... and he guided the Bees to the play-off semi-finals. Despite beating Shrewsbury Town 2-1 in the first leg at Underhill, the Bees lost 0-1 and then on penalties.

The following season the Bees went top of the Nationwide Conference by the end of August and stayed there for the whole season to finish as worthy champions. One of the first things Fairclough did on getting the job full time was to draft in a new midfield ... a midfield who scored goals.

Fairclough, then 55 became a Football League manager for the first time with promotion ... and the rest is history. The Bees have consolidated in League 2 and Fairclough has twice taken the side to the fourth round of the FA Cup, the furthest in the club's history.

In the Carling Cup in 2005 there was the memorable visit to Old Trafford when the Bees played Manchester United.

Fairclough's first signing from non-League Nicky Bailey, went to Southend United last summer for £175,000. He has brought in other gems from lower divisions such as Tresor Kandol (bought for £50,000 and sold for £200,000) and given a chance and developed Jason Puncheon, the subject of a six-figure bid from Leeds United in January. Albert Adomah, already the target of bigger clubs after only 15 games, is the latest.

Amazingly, Fairclough is in the top 10 longest serving managers.

Dennis Signy