Nicky Maynard wants to be 'fighting at the top end of the table' following Mansfield Town return

The striker, who netted 15 goals for the Stags last season, looked set to move on after his contract expired on June 30.

But despite interest from League One clubs and League Two rivals, the former West Ham United and Bristol City forward has penned a one-year deal with the Stags.

"I enjoyed my time here. The manager knows me, I know the manager," the 33-year-old told www.mansfieldtown.net.

"He knows how to get the best out of me and hopefully I can get more than the 14 league goals I got last season, to help this club where it should be, and that's fighting at the top end of the table."

Last Thursday manager Graham Coughlan explained that the door remained open for Maynard, who had taken time to 're-evaluate' his future.

"I'm excited. I didn't think it was going to happen," Maynard continued.

"I had a few offers elsewhere, in League One. I felt like I'd done well to get a shot.

"The League One offers I had, location-wise, weren't very good for me. When I knew that there was still a chance to come back to Mansfield I took the chance. I'm glad I'm back.

He added: "I had offers, three or four other offers in League Two, but looking at it, for me personally, I feel like I've got unfinished business here."

Maynard joined the Stags from Bury, following a campaign in which he scored 22 times as the Shakers were promoted to Sky Bet League One.

Starting his career at hometown Crewe Alexandra, he scored 35 goals in 67 matches before sealing a £2.25m move to Bristol City in 2008.

He found the net 46 times in 131 appearances for the Robins, before moving to West Ham in 2012.

Maynard scored six times in 17 outings for the Hammers before moving to Cardiff City, appearing in the Premier League for the Bluebirds.

Spells then followed at Wigan Athletic, MK Dons, Aberdeen and Bury, before joining the Stags last summer.

Coughlan told www.mansfieldtown.net: “It’s great to have Nicky back. He was our top goalscorer last season and is a natural finisher.

“He knows how we work and how we want to play.

“There’s now great competition up front and I’m excited to see how it pans out.

“Obviously Nicky is a few weeks short of match fitness, so fingers crossed we can get him up to speed and ready for the start of our league campaign.”

Mansfield travel to Championship side Preston North End in the Carabao Cup this afternoon (KO 3pm).

Coughlan believes the Lilywhites have the 'natural advantage' because their season only ended a matter of weeks ago, while the Stags haven't played competitively since March 7's 2-1 win at Northampton Town, in which Maynard featured.

The game can be viewed via a live stream.

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