MANSFIELD Town are to step up their pursuit of Stephen McLaughlin, Echosport understands.

McLaughlin, who has been with Southend United since 2015, is currently out of contract at Roots Hall.

And former Blues coach Graham Coughlan, who is now manager of the Stags, is keen to take him to Field Mill.

Coughlan is believed to have been keen to bring in McLaughlin since the end of the last season.

But he is now likely to push harder for the winger with wide-man CJ Hamilton set to leave the Stags.

McLaughlin has made 185 appearances for the Shrimpers and started the 2015 League Two play-off final against Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley.