Evans confident of more Mansfield signings amid Marquis rumours

(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)

Mansfield Town boss Steve Evans believes the club will make three or four more summer signings as he continues to build a squad capable of reaching League One.

After releasing 11 players at the end of the season, the Stags have already been busy bringing in new recruits, with 10 new arrivals in total despite the season only finishing 18 days ago.

Yesterday, Mansfield CEO Carolyn Radford revealed on Twitter that the club had been rebuffed in their audacious attempt to sign the ‘league’s top-scorer’, seemingly John Marquis of promoted Doncaster, and although that move failed, Evans is confident the club will continue to be active in the transfer market.

Speaking to The Mansfield Chad, the former Leeds United boss said: “We’re just trying to add some good players to what we’ve already got in the building.

“We have been really efficient. We’ve not just woken up the day after Crawley and thought who are we going to recruit?

“We’ve been working on this for three or four months.

“We are probably two or three, maximum four, players from where we need to be. If it’s four I don’t think the chairman or chief exec would have too many problems from where we are. If it’s two or three it would be the same answer.”

Shame our attempts at getting the leagues top goal scorer has been rebuffed. However, we move on to new targets… ⚽️????????

— Carolyn Radford (@CarolynRadford) May 23, 2017

Evans is clearly delighted with the recruitment work done so far this summer, after it was speculated he sought assurances from the club’s hierarchy regarding the playing budget, amid interest from Swindon Town for his services.

However, with Conrad Logan, Zandar Diamond, Paul Anderson, Paul Digby, Jimmy Spencer, Hayden White, Lee Angol, Jacob Mellis, David Murfin and Johnny Hunt having already arrived at the Stags, a hefty budget is clearly in place – something that has drawn admiring glances from around the EFL.

Evans said: “I have seen a couple of complimentary comments from other managers in the league about us getting on with our business.”

Players, as well as supporters, are also impressed, with Evans revealing: “It’s great that I get messages and calls from the squad who were here last year to say these are good signings. Players like to play with good players.

“You are rejoicing and looking towards the new season. It doesn’t mean you’re going to win games but it gives you a chance of winning games.”