Westlake hoping to stay with Stags

Westlake was back in the side in an unfamiliar left wing back role at Morecambe last weekend, but within four minutes he was moved back onto his preferred right hand side after Beevers suffered a dislocated shoulder.

He went on to play his part in a fine 1-0 win and said: “After two wins we went out there full of confidence. I think that showed and we got a great three points.

“The manager spoke to me before the game and asked how did I feel about playing on the left?

“I have played there before but, obviously, I find playing on the right better.

“When Beevs went off I was pleased to get back over onto the other side, though not pleased about him getting injured.

“I was at Walsall with him and he was a top player there and he is a top player still here now. But he has had problems with that shoulder for a long time.

“Now I will just try working hard in training as I always do and hope the gaffer picks me for Saturday and I will try to keep that position.”

With the threat of relegation now gone, Stags find themselves within touching distance of the play-offs, which Westlake is not ruling out.

“We are in a good position now, seven points off the play-offs and, with five games left it is possible,” he said.

“But we are not getting too ahead of ourselves and all we are thinking about is Rochdale on Saturday.

“When the big teams have come here we have done well against them. We have nothing to fear, even though they are top of the league.”

Westlake is delighted the fear of relegation has now gone and added: “I was in the same position at Walsall, in a relegation fight in the last game of the season and I didn’t want to got through that again here. These three wins have helped us massively.”

Westlake said he doesn’t expect a new deal from Sheffield United in the summer and would be delighted to join Mansfield on a full-time basis if the opportunity arose.

He said: “I have not heard from Sheffield United since I have been here so I don’t think I will be there next season to be honest. That’s Sheffield United for you!

“My contract is up at the end of the season and I need to go back and speak to Nigel Clough and see what happens.

“I have started all bar three games since I came here. I am happy with that as that was the reason I came here.

“I would love to stay here to be honest. It is a good club. But I have got to speak with my agent and see what happens.”