Mansfield Town

The 32-year-old featured in our first three matches of the campaign, before he spent time on loan at Rainworth Miners Welfare and then Worksop Town.

But having returned to the club ahead of this Saturday’s trip to Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup with Budweiser, Murray is looking firmly to the future.

Reflecting on the past three months, he said: “It’s the industry we’re in. It’s football and it’s a strange business.

“I’ve come to learn over the past 16 years that anything is possible. It’s been a strange time, but we move on and hopefully we move forward.”

On his relationship with manager Paul Cox, the midfielder continued: “There were a couple of issues that we needed to iron out and we’ve done that.

“We’ve had some really positive and productive meetings this week and we’re laughing and giggling again and ‘back on the same page’.

“Over the last couple of years we’ve had a really close relationship and I don’t think anyone can argue with the fact that we’ve been successful.

“We know that we can achieve things together and we’ve proved that, so the most important thing now is the football club, moving forward, and trying to get points on the board.”

Murray, who has made 493 career appearances in all competitive competitions, is also in contention for a place in the squad for this weekend’s trip to Boundary Park.

The midfielder has trained with our first team squad all week and, although he has had to ‘gauge’ his own fitness levels, isn’t phased by this level of football.

“At the minute, I’m just happy to be back in the building,” said Murray.

“I’ve had a really good week. It’s been tough seeing where I’m at personally in relation to the lads. 

“I’ve seen a few games, watched a few DVDs and I don’t think there is anything that will surprise me about the standard of football at this level.

“So [it’s been a case of] gauging where I’m at, getting my head down, and doing as much as I can to help this group of players.

“Hopefully, with my experience and the qualities that I feel I bring to the table, I’ll be able to help the boys and everything else will take care of itself in time and due course.”

On our recent form, he added: “I think it’s been a tough period for the whole football club, because we’re not used to [losing] football matches and being at the wrong end of the table.

“It’s something that we’ve been through before, but I think because we’re at a higher level, the period has lasted probably a little bit longer than usual.

“But we know within the group and within ourselves, we’ve got enough to get out of it and move forward. 

“I’ve looked in detail at [the situation] especially in the last few weeks, and if I’m being totally honest, I’m not worried.

“I do think that we’ll be in and around [the top end of the table] come the end of the season, because we’ve got enough in the camp.”

Murray also had words of praise for Micky Moore, who returned to One Call Stadium in a coaching capacity, prior to last Saturday’s league match with Morecambe.

“Having Micky back at the club is a big thing, and he’s got a lot of tools what can help the group,” added Murray.

“He’s a big piece of the jigsaw [for us]. He’s excellent at what he does, he brings a lot to the table and he’s got a lot of knowledge, so it can only be a positive move.”