Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough has spoken via club media and offered an update on the status of former Walsall loanee, Danny Johnson.
Johnson recently returned to Field Mill after completing a successful loan spell at Poundland Bescot Stadium during which he netted fifteen goals across thirty first-team appearances.
Despite reported interest from other clubs in both League One and League Two, the Saddlers are believed to be leading the race for the striker, though Mansfield officials are said to be against selling him to a promotion rival.
Clough, who is set to watch his side take part in a behind-closed-doors game this week, sought to welcome Danny back to the club before discussing the latest on his transfer status.
Speaking via the Stags official media channels, Clough said; "We have Danny back in the building now with us, and as far as we're concerned he is available for Saturday.
"If something happens prior to that or after that we will look at it. But as far as we're concerned no deal has been done with any other club and he is scoring goals – hopefully, he can do that for us. We have had five or six enquiries for him and a couple of firm bids.
"One of them was accepted but Danny did not want to go to that particular club. You have to look at it from all angles.
"The player has to want to go and the two clubs have got to agree. If any one of those three parties can't make it work then it breaks down.
"Walsall have made a bid but at this moment it is not up the valuation. But it's more about whether we want to keep Danny for the rest of the season.
"We are under no pressure to sell. The owners have been clear and brilliant about that. We're very happy to have Danny back. It's not a problem for us to get him back in and involved."
One issue for Mansfield is the rule which prevents a player from being registered by more than two clubs in a season, and, as Danny has already played some thirty games for Walsall this season, he would be unable to move to any other club if he does indeed play for the Stags this weekend.
Clough continued; "The only slight problem we have in the next two weeks is the three club rule which, if he plays for us on Saturday or appears on the pitch, then he can only play for us or Walsall for the rest of this season.
"That rules out anyone coming in and buying him in the last week or so. I don't like the rule – I think it is prohibitive on players and clubs doing business. It is a very poor rule.
"But if we reach a decision that he is going nowhere and Danny is happy that he is going to help us try to get promoted in the second half of the season then that becomes irrelevant anyway.
"We will have a chat this week with David, the owners and Danny himself and judge it. It might be we hold him back for a game on Saturday and it all becomes clearer the week after as I don't want to reduce the club's options or anyone's options for the sake of one game.
"After Saturday he would still be available for the 19 games that are left, so that one game won't make a great deal of difference."