Giant Chesterfield striker Mani Dieseruvwe joins rivals Mansfield Town on loan

And, with the play-off chasing Stags down to one fully fit striker, boss Adam Murray said he also hoped to bring in a second striker on loan before Saturday’s visit of Portsmouth – possibly a free-scoring U21 from a Premier League club.

Sheffield-based Dieseruvwe (21) stands 6ft 5ins, but Murray said for a tall player he also had two great feet and would be a perfect foil for Matt Green.

The Leeds-born youngster came through the youth academy at Sheffield Wednesday and joined Chesterfield on loan in January 2015 before making the move permanent.

He said today he couldn’t wait to get started with the Stags.

“In training on Monday I was told Mansfield were interested in taking me on loan,” he said.

Click HERE to read Adam Murray’s thoughts on the signing

“I said I was interested in coming and getting some games and I spoke to the assistant manager last night to come in and get things sorted which I am glad to do today.

“I am here for first team football and hopefully help Mansfield get over the line into the play-off positions, and maybe go up at the end of the season.

“I just want to come in, do my best for team, work hard, and hopefully get some goals.

“There is a big rivalry (between Stags and Chesterfield), but that all goes out the window when you get on the pitch. Hopefully I can come in and help the team.”

Dieseruvwe has played 24 times for the League One Spirerites but lately has struggled to make the team.

“There is a lot of competition up there,” he said. “It’s been a bit difficult to stake my claim with the likes of Lee Novak and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake in the team.

“I have just been biding my time to see if I could get a few games there. That obviously hasn’t happened, so this opportunity has come round and I’ve taken it with both hands. Hopefully I can do my best here.”

He added: “I like to think I am an all-round striker. I like to run in behind and be a target man as well.

“And hopefully I can score some goals as that’s the most important thing for a striker. That’s why you get paid the money.”

Dieseruvwe is now hoping to be lining up alongside new striker partner Green on Saturday and said: “Once I was told Mansfield were interested I had a look at some of the games.

“He (Green) looks very lively and a good player and hopefully I can combine with him well on Saturday.”

Dieseruvwe started out with a trial at Barnsley from where Wednesday picked him up to be a scholar, followed by two years as a professional, during which time he had loan spells at Hyde, Fleetwood, and Chesterfield.

“I am now starting to get a bit more experience and hopefully I can play a few games before the end of the season to get more experience and a few goals for my CV,” he said.

“I spoke to the manager and he seems a very hungry manager. So hopefully I can repay him and work hard for the team.”

Three successive 1-0 defeats have seen Stags dip from fifth to 11th and the play-off dream fade a little. However, Dieseruvwe said: “Anything can happen.

“Football changes just like that. So with a few wins we can find ourselves back up there in the play-off positions and maybe going for Wembley.

“I am anxious to get started and see what happens. I am raring to go.

“You have to make a name for yourself and hopefully I can do that here at Mansfield.”

Dieseruvwe couldn’t have had a more mouthwatering start to his Stags career with the visit of the division’s biggest club, Portsmouth, on Saturday.

“Hopefuly I can make my debut on Saturday and it would be nice to score. I’m sure it will be a good atmosphere.

“I’ve played a few reserve games recently but there is nothing like a first team game.

“The tempo is a lot quicker and hopefully I can give as much as I can whether I last for 6 0 minutes or come on for the last 30. I will give my best.”