Patient Poku hoping to hang onto Stags shirt

But, whatever happens against Morecambe tomorrow, he is fully aware that fellow ball-winner Jamie McGuire is back from a three-game ban the week after.

“Jamie will be tough competition as he is a brilliant player and someone I play like,” said Poku. “But he is very experienced. If I play on Saturday and play well, hopefully it will give the gaffer a hard decision to make.”

On his debut, he said: “I was delighted, to be fair. It’s been a long time.

“I have been working hard and tried to get my head down. The gaffer told me to work hard and I would get my chance. Finally I got that chance.

“It’s been hard but I have kept going for the club and for my family.

“Making your debut is always great. I was a bit nervous at the beginning but I grew myself into the game and started to feel much better. The lads helped me and encouraged me and talked to me through the game and I think it was a good debut for me.

“The fans were great and it’s nice to do something to please them.

“I am the type of player who gives 100 per cent in what I do. I like to give everything for the club.”

Having signed in the summer of 2012, Poku failed to make the starting XI and ended up on loan at Southport.

“I was a little bit disappointed to go out on loan last season, but happy that I would get games and keep myself fit,” he said. “Then I came back here for my last year. I am out of contract at the end of the season and I know I need to put everything I can into it to stay in the frame.”

despite five straight League defeats, Poku feels there is no crisis brewing.

“We started the season flying, and I don’t think we have anything to panic about. It’s a tight league and if we can get a few wins under our belt, we will soon be up there again,” he said.

“We need to set out our stall like we did at the start of the season, harassing teams, getting in their faces and being hard to play. We need a strong defensive base.”