Paul Holland, named Mansfield Town manager for the rest of the season on Tuesday, has lost Will Atkinson who was recalled by Hull City at the end of his second month on loan.

He has also decided to pay up the contracts of strikers Danny Reet and John McAliskey who had fallen well down the pecking order of getting a game.

But Holland is hoping to unveil two exciting new signings this afternoon if they can be completed.

"It's going to be a very busy day and I was on the phone all afternoon yesterday," said Holland.

"It really is a baptism of fire. There is no six weeks pre-season to bed yourself in. But I am enjoying it.

"I am getting players out and bringing players in and being positive. It is no use hanging about and then saying 'what if'. I have made quick decisions on certain individuals.

"With paying up these players they become free agents and can maybe fix themselves up quicker while it saves our club money over the course of the close season.

"I have been in the situation myself in the past where I was told I didn't figure in plans and could stay and fight for my place or go out elsewhere and play football.

"I was the type of person who wanted to go and play football and if I have players here who are not playing football they are no good to me, so if they have got anything about them they will want to go and play football somewhere else.

"Danny and John have had their contracts paid up and there might be a couple more going out later - both of them have two or three clubs interested in them.

"I am not frightened to make hard decisions or upset people and maybe it will put others on their toes."

However, he added: "I didn't want to lose Will Atkinson and he did not want to leave us – he has enjoyed his time here.

"He was still eligible to play against Notts County on Saturday but, after I decided to leave him out at Bury on Monday, Hull rang me to say they didn't want to risk one of their first team squad getting injured in our reserves and, having had good reports about him while playing for us, they wanted to take him back and have a closer look at him in their reserves.

"I think Will was a credit to himself and Hull City and I would be extremely keen to bring him back here in the future."

Holland is this afternoon hoping to complete the loan signings of two new players for the weekend before the big relegation crunch game at local rivals Notts County.

"It is a massive game and we are looking forward to it," said Holland.

"We have three very important matches coming up, none more so than Saturday. If we can come out of those with six, seven or even nine points then things could be very different and I am very confident and positive that we can.

"The lads let themselves down on Monday and have been told that in no uncertain terms. The pleasing thing was that they agreed. So I think our supporters will see a different Mansfield Town on Saturday. I will definitely get a reaction.

"It is my career in the balance right now as well as the players. I will be judged between now and the end of the season and I want to make a good fist of it. I will give it my best shot and I believe my best will be good enough.

"I think it is vitally important I bring in a couple of fresh faces which will liven the place up. And if you get players coming in from the outside who don't know the club and what has been going on in and around the place, they may come in with a more relaxed attitude which will hopefully rub off on other individuals."