Fully fit new-look Mansfield Town squad can push for glory this season believes Stephen McLaughlin

A crippling injury list mid-season last year saw Mansfield struggle at the wrong end of the table after promotion from League Two.

But another awful injury list that reached 11 players at one stage, is rapidly clearing. And with five talented new faces coming in during January, McLaughlinis excited for what the future holds as Stags try to extend an eight game unbeaten run against Exeter City on Saturday.

“I think we have the belief in the squad that we can finish right up there,” he said.

“But the next couple of months is going to be a real test as we have a lot of games coming up and we are going to need the entire squad.

“It's been down to hard work and a squad of players putting their bodies on the line.

“It's also the desire to try to keep clean sheets. We know we always create at the other end.

“Getting some of these boys off the treatment table and back into the matchday squad is exciting for us.

“They are not just any players – they are top quality players. It gives everyone a lift. The standard in training lifts. It raises belief.”

He continued: “The transfer window has been good. We've brought in a few good lads.

“It is up to the manager who he brings in – and he very rarely gets it wrong. So I am excited to see these boys on the pitch.

“Victor (Adeboyejo) coming off the bench a few times you can he brings pure strength. Not many defenders will bully him about. You see a player like that coming on you know the ball is going to be held up and that is brilliant.

“Oliver (Irow) is a young lad who plays free. He just goes and expresses himself.

“We so have a lot of games coming up. But ask any player and they would rather be playing games than training.

“The more the better. We now have a squad capable of playing Saturday/Tuesday and we are looking forward to seeing where the next two months leads us.

“Players who have the shirt now will be looking over their shoulder and hopefully will up their game.

“But it doesn't matter who is playing here as we get behind each other.

“If you are dropped for a game there is no sulking as you could be back in on the Tuesday.

“There is no time for that and the gaffer has no time for it.”

Stags sit 11th, 10 points off the play-off with three games in hand and McLaughlin said: “The first half of the season has been okay – the usual Mansfield ups and downs – but we are on a good little run at the minute.

“So we are looking forward to the next couple of months ahead.

“But, at eight games unbeaten, we know if we take our eye off the ball we will get punished in this league. Every game is a big game and if you go half-hearted you will get found out.

“It is very tight between us and the play-offs and us and the drop zone. A couple of bad results and you are looking down the table and a couple of positive results and you are right up there.

“We need to keep working hard and doing the basics.

“Personally I want to try to play as many games as possible. As a club we want to finish as high up the table as we can, whatever that may be.”