Adam Murray unsure about Mansfield Town role

Adam Murray first joined the Stags on a loan deal from Derby County in February 2002

Mansfield Town caretaker boss Adam Murray has said he is still undecided if he will apply for the manager's position, but has ruled out a role as a regular player manager.

Midfielder Murray, 33, has been in charge since Paul Cox left in November.

"I've not properly sat down with the people who matter to me and spoke about it," he told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"My focus has been on making sure things were right and the boys were getting the information they need."

However, Murray, who has made more than 180 appearances for the Stags across three different spells and was assistant manager under Cox, would not want to combine managing and playing regularly.

And he is reluctant to retire.

"I wouldn't put the club in that position of me playing every week and trying to prepare the team for a game," said Murray. "It wouldn't be fair on them, it wouldn't be fair on me.

"I have missed playing. I do miss putting my boots on and affecting things on the pitch.

"If I get the team to where it needs to be and it's been effective, it might be a place where I drop in and out when needed but it wouldn't be on a regular basis."

Murray masterminded the 1-0 win over non-league side Concord Rangers in the FA Cup first round

Chairman John Radford will interview a shortlist of six candidates on Tuesday, and Murray says he is not afraid of the pressures involved if he decides to apply.

He continued: "It's a big decision for me. If it rests on being a challenge for myself, then I'm not going to walk away.

"With time to actually work and develop on a philosophy and a way a team wants to play, I am confident in my own ability."

Murray has taken the Stags into the second round of the FA Cup and overseen the win over Plymouth Argyle - their first in nine league matches.