VIDEO: Two more agree deals as Mansfield Town boss Adam Murray chases experienced keeper

Murray said the club had taken up options on the contracts of Lambe and Tafazolli, who both played a key role in helping Stags maintain their Football League status last term.

“Everybody who we have offered contracts to, who haven’t gone elsewhere, want to be a part of this football club and what we’re doing here,” said Murray.

“It’s just a matter of discussing what’s best for both parties at the minute.”

He continued: “Reggie (Lambe) and ‘Tafs’ (Ryan Tafazolli) will be with us as we’ve got options on their contracts. Obviously they were happy to be a part of what we’re doing. Reggie has been away on international duty and ‘Tafs’ has been away on holiday.

“Chris (Clements) wants to stay on board with us. We’re just trying to sort his deal out and get the best deal for the club and for him.”

Having signed no fewer than eight players already this summer and more expected to follow before pre-season training begins at the end of the month, the manager said that his priorities now were to strengthen the team defensively – including finding the correct goalkeeper.

“I think we still need to bring in a couple more bodies in the defensive areas,” admitted Murray.

“Obviously the goalkeeper is a huge one. We’ve spoken to a number of candidates for that position and I’m not going to rush into that one, because I want to make sure it’s right for us.

“Since we lost ‘Maz’ (Alan Marriott) we haven’t really replaced that figurehead. We’re speaking to some really good quality goalkeepers ranging from higher levels to the experienced and efficient goalkeeper that’s got a good knowledge of our league.

“We’ve got a range of people that we’re looking at and it’s one where I do want experience in because I think it’s a vital part. To marshal and to lead a back four, you need to have that character in between the sticks.”

Stags expected to be unseeded in next week’s Capital One Cup draw – so Championship or League One opposition very likely.

The first round draw for the Capital One Cup takes place on Tuesday, 16th June at 10am.

Although nothing has been formally confirmed by the Football League yet, the usual format for the first hurdle of the competition is both seeded and regionalised.

Therefore, possible opponents are expected to be teams such as Derby County, Hull City, Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest.