MANSFIELD Town manager Steve Evans has poured cold water on Swindon Town’s attempts to lure him away from the One Call Stadium.

Despite Mansfield chairman John Radford being forced to reject a formal approach from Town chairman Lee Power to talk to his manager, Evans has chosen to dismiss the link to the County Ground as ‘speculation’.

The 54-year-old, who knows Power from their days together at Boston United, told Mansfield’s club website that the first he heard of Swindon’s approach for his services was from his chairman on Monday.

And while ‘honoured’ by the approach, the former Crawley Town and Leeds United manager has affirmed his commitment to the Stags.

“It’s been a real hectic time since we left the last game of the season behind,” he said.

“Some tough and big decisions have been made with regards to the squad as well as putting together our targets for the new season.

“Of course, in the last 24 to 48 hours, there has been much speculation about a move away from the One Call Stadium.

“But I would like to make clear that I am a manager who doesn’t read newspaper reports or base anything on speculation.

“(Monday) was the first time that my chairman spoke to me, saying that they had an approach from the people at Swindon Town.

“As a manager and a football man, you are always honoured when you have an approach from another team, whether you are a manager or a player, because it perhaps signals that a good job is being done and people recognise what you can do for them.”

Mansfield chairman Radford held talks with Evans last week and has given his manager his full backing, promising a budget to compete for promotion in League Two, after Evans aired his concerns earlier this month.

And, so far, has come true on his promise, furnishing Evans with five new signings in the space of a week to leave the Scot content in his position.

“The reality of it all is that the chairman and chief executive made it very clear to me in my conversations with them that they were not going to sanction any approach for me to be involved in any discussions because they have brought me in to make a big difference to their football club,” added Evans.

“I have always respected every chairman I worked for. I have always shook hands on things agreed and unless a chairman moves the goalposts, I have always been very, very loyal.

“So, from my point of view, it is business as normal.

“We have made three signings (on Tuesday), which includes two quality midfield players and a striker.

“I don’t want to say much about those three, or any future signings. I want to let the players come in and let their talking be done by their performances on the pitch.

“We are here to work hard and deliver something which could be really exciting.”

The statement leaves Swindon chairman Power heading back to the drawing board, having last week expressed his desire to have somebody in place by the end of this week.