MANSFIELD Town are delighted with the progress of hitman Jake Speight since his return from an ankle injury.

The diminutive former Sheffield United trainee spent a month-and-a-half sidelined by an ankle injury.

But Speight netted the winner off the bench in his first game back against Cambridge just before the turn of the year as Mansfield were 2-1 victors.

Since then he has taken his tally to four goals in six games and his seasonal tally to ten and is likely to play a key role again at Stevenage tonight.

But it is not just his predatory instincts that have impressed the Stags management.

Speight has also caught the eye for his selfless off-the-ball running and ability to run at defenders at pace when in possession.

"I think everyone can see how well Jake is doing. Both on and off the ball, his work rate is tremendous" said first team coach Gareth Holmes, ahead of tonight's clash at high-flying Stevenage.

"He brings something to the team with his enthusiasm and you just have to listen the fans to know what they think of him.

"Now Jake's adding to his goal tally and he's looking at putting himself in the top ten bracket of goalscorers in this league.

"We have three players who are vying for that – which is great for the club."

When boss David Holdsworth took Speight from Droylsden last summer, it may have looked something of a gamble.

But Holmes says the gaffer has never had any doubts about the player's ability.

He said: "Jake has always had the pedigree starting with Sheffield United and we always knew what he could do if we could keep him injury-free.

"He inspires others in the team and he commands respect."