We won’t be held to ransom over transfers warns Mansfield Town boss Graham Coughlan

After telling skipper and centre half Krystian Pearce and midfielder Jacob Mellis they can leave, he said those positions are most important for recruitment.

“I am actively seeking to bring in another defender as well as another midfielder. They would be my priority positions,” said Coughlan as he prepared his struggling side for the long haul to his in-form former club Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

“But let's be straight I will take in any player that will improve us and is better than the players we've got. They don't grow on trees though.

“I am looking for two or three players. But a lot of clubs are saying they won't let players out at this time.

“A lot of players and agents are jostling and some of the things we are hearing and being asked for are absolutely ridiculous.

“Players naturally want to go into a higher division. Others are looking to jump on a gravy train. Then you have the agents who are looking for their percentages.

“I am a tight Irishmen, so those clubs and players are barking up the wrong tree with me. We will get the best players in that are available to us and won't be held to ransom. We certainly won't have a gun to our heads.

“If we get someone in then brilliant. If we don't get anything in then we will carry on and work with what we've got until the next window as there is a lot to work with here.”

He continued: “The January transfer window is a slow and frustrating one and most things happen in the last couple of days. It's a bit of a nightmare.

“Fingers crossed we can get a couple in, if not this week then possibly next week.

“But if it's a case that we have to run along with what we have then so be it.

“It's about building and putting things together for the future and not just short term.”