Mansfield Town fans still to see the best of Junior Daniel promises boss Adam Murray

Mansfield Town manager Adam Murray believes Stags fans have not yet seen the best of Junior Daniel.

The left-footed utility player, 28, who can play in defence, midfield or attack, rejoined Mansfield on loan from Port Vale today until the end of the season.

He helped Stags to Conference title glory in his first spell with the club, but was tempted away by a move to League One Port Vale two summers ago that hasn’t worked out for him.

Murray said: “He was a great player in his first spell here, but from my point of view we didn’t see half of what’s in Junior Daniel.

Click HERE to read the signing story

Click HERE to see Junior Daniel’s last goal for Stags which relegated Bristol Rovers

“I like him. He is a very good person which, as you know, is big to me in my recruitment and I think there is so much in there ability-wise.

“I know he has played up front for Port Vale at times this season, so he is one that gives you options across the front line.

“We have 13 games left and we need to win games. It’s go for it time.

“But even moving forwards to next season, I believe I could get a lot more out of Junior Daniel than we’ve seen – the way we play and the way this team is

“He’s got a lot of pace and a lot of energy, a superb left foot, he can create, he can score. I think he can come in and affect it straight away.”

However, Murray said he had spoken with senior players in his small squad to make sure they would accept another new face coming in at this stage of the campaign.

“The boys have got us where we are, but they will appreciate someone coming in giving them maybe a one per cent – I know that as they want to achieve,” he said.

“If someone can help them achieve and be part of the group, so be it.

“But it’s their team. It’s a very strong-knit group and to walk into that changing room even I have to be wary at times as they are that close.”

Nottingham-born Daniel began his career with Eastwood Town, before Dario Gradi took him to Crewe Alexandra in July 2007 for a five-figure sum.

From there he was loaned out to Grays Athletic, Leek Town, Halifax Town, and Macclesfield Town, before he joined Macclesfield on a permanent basis in May 2009.

He spent three years with Macclesfield, before moving on to Mansfield Town for an undisclosed fee in August 2012.

He helped Stags to win the Conference Premier title in 2012/13, but signed with League One Port Vale in June 2014 after a call from Micky Adams.

However, within four months Adams was gone and new boss Rob Page wasn’t as keen on him.

Daniel was told he could go out loan but remained at Vale Park and on came off the bench to score the winning goal away at Colchester United on November 1 to force himself back into the reckoning.

He eventually played 30 times for Vale throughout the 2014/15 season despite missing February with an ankle injury.

Daniel began this season on the bench, but came on the bench to score at Fleetwood Town on September 26.

However by February he was well down the pecking order and has not been involved in recent squads, a weekend off last weekend seeing him a spectator at One Call Stadium.