Ex-Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox once again hoping to sign former Stags star Matt Rhead

Cox is now boss at Vanarama National League North side Kettering Town and, having successfully worked together at other clubs, has admitted he would love to sign the big target man for the Poppies.

Rhead, 35, who had a spell with Corby Town before playing under Cox in Mansfield Town’s title-winning team in what is now the National League, is a free agent after he left Billericay Town in October last year.

Cox would love to sign him but admits they are probably part of a long queue of clubs.

“Matt’s always going to be on the radar because of my relationship with him,” said Cox.

“I had Matt from a really young age and I have never been too far away from him. I get along, not just with him, but with his family.

“He hasn’t got a club at the minute. Would we like to sign him? Absolutely. Have I tried to sign him? Absolutely.

“Matt has still got a lot of Football League clubs who are monitoring him and I am really respectful because I know he still has ambitions to play at that level.

“It’s one of those things where we just have to be patient and I am sure Matt will make a right decision.”

Cox added: “If we were to get him we would be getting a marquee centre-forward but everyone is after one of those!

“There are a lot of people with a lot more healthier budgets who are probably first in line.

“I have been in contact with him on a week-to-week basis ever since he left Billericay.

“It would be great to sign him, I think he would excite the Kettering fans this season and next.

“But I think there will be a massive queue of clubs looking to get him signed up.

“We are in the hunt and I think that’s a positive thing for this club.”

Rhead was only part-time when he joined Stags but quit his job at JCB to go full time and help Stags to promotion.