And caretaker boss Paul Holland said on Thursday morning that he hopes to bring in two new, experienced players on Thursday afternoon.

He also revealed that he had received enquiries from other clubs for two other players in the Stags squad.

Both players - who may either go out on loan or as a permanent signing - have been the target for two separate clubs.

Holland said: "We need to offload players to bring new players in.

"By paying their contracts up they become free agents, and in the long run it saves the club money."

The Stags, facing an uphill battle to avoid relegation from the Football League, have paid up the contracts of summer signing John McAliskey and Danny Reet.

The strikers have not featured in the first team for some time. Reet has been on loan at Alfreton since the autumn and last week Holland told a fans forum that he had told the player's agent he was free to find another club.

McAliskey, who scored two goals in 11 starts, joined the Stags from Huddersfield, together with defender Martin McIntosh who has been dogged by injruy for most of the campaign.

On loan midfielder Will Atkinson has returned to Hull City after two months at the Mill at the Tigers' request.

Holland said today that he did not want to lose the player and would not rule out the player coming back to the club in the future.

Jefferson Louis, who has been on international duty with the Dominican Republic, is expected to join up with the squad later this week ahead of Saturday's crunch match at local rivals Notts County.

More on this story to follow