JOHN Dempster would love to return to Mansfield Town next season – but admits to an uncertain future.

The Stags could not agree a deal with parent club Crawley to sign the central defender permanently during the transfer window.

It means the loanee will return to Sussex on February 22 – to the disappointment of those at Field Mill.

Dempster is out of contract in the summer and already boss Paul Cox has suggested he would be keen to move for the former Rushden man.

The player himself is interested but knows it depends on what happens between now and May – at both Mansfield and Crawley.

"What happened in the transfer window was out of my control. Mansfield wanted to extend things and Crawley said 'no'," said Dempster.

"In terms of next season it's a place I would like to be, but there are still a lot of games between now and then.

"At the start of the season I was in the side at Crawley, only to lose out through injuries and suspensions.

"I feel I could still play at that level, there is no doubt in my mind.

"The gaffer has made it clear he would be interested for next season, but I have to respect my parent club and sort things out in the summer."

Dempster will be keeping an eye on Mansfield's progress in the last third of the campaign.

He said: "It is frustrating to have to go back, especially if the lads get to Wembley (in the play-off final). They are a fantastic group of players and hopefully I have helped them out."