FIRST frozen out and now frozen off, Adam Smith is certainly feeling the chill at Mansfield Town this season.

After an indifferent pre-season, the speedy winger swiftly lost his place to Lindon Meikle on the left flank in the early part of 2011-12.

With no reserve team to push his claims for a recall, Smith instead spent a spell on loan at League Two Aldershot – from October through to the end of 2011 – that brought a welcome run of games.

Many thought that might be the last of Smith body-swerves and step-overs in a Mansfield Town shirt, even when he returned to the club early in the new year after his stint with the Hampshire club expired.

Yet within a matter of days, manager Paul Cox had recalled a match-fit Smith to the Stags' starting line-up, meaning he figured in victories over Hayes and Yeading and Ebbsfleet, sandwiching a 0-0 draw at high-flying Luton.

No sooner has the Huddersfield-born player's Field Mill season got up and running, though, it has suddenly ground to a halt.

After sweeping through, November, December and January without any postponements, Mansfield have now had consecutive Saturday home fixtures in February wiped out by wintry weather, the latest today's scheduled clash with league leaders Fleetwood.

It could not have come at a worse time for the former York flier, and typical of how things have not gone his way in the current campaign.

But he is not allowed to let it worry him and said: "As professionals we have to eat right, rehydrate and do things as if all the games are going to be on.

"It is frustrating, but you can't do a lot about this kind of weather. It is the same for all.

"We have done a bleep test this week and a lot of running – we are keeping the fitness up.

"We need to stay match sharp so when the cold weather does come to an end we can hit the ground running again.

"We know it's a big few games coming up and we have to be ready to go."

Smith has been delighted with how things have gone since returning to north Notts from the Shots.

He is hopeful he can produce the form to persuade manager Cox to persist with him next season and beyond – even if that is the furthest thing from his mind right now.

The 26-year-old said: "It's been good getting a run. I'm someone who's always hungry to be playing rather than be on the sidelines.

"I love the club here, but I had to go out and get games. Now I'm enjoying being back.

"My personal aim is to get the club into the top five. That's the focus and then we can see where we go after that.

"You win contracts and things like that with good performances out on the field, nothing else.

"As a squad I think we have to put contracts on the hold for the time being. For now, putting points on the board is more important.

"I do like playing for Mansfield and I would like to continue here beyond this season. But I'm putting my future to one side at the moment."

Smith has noticed a different mood in the Mansfield camp since being back – a change for the better.

"I have come back and the lads are full of confidence. It was a bit low before," he said.

"We knew we were under-achieving with the quality of player we have.

"But we have brought in some good players to freshen the squad too. I think people are peaking at the right time.

"Lindon Meikle and Louis Briscoe are keeping me on my toes and there is depth right through the squad.

Smith is convinced Mansfield are better placed to push for a play-off place this season – providing the club can sort out their ground issues.

Smith said: "Injuries do have an effect, as we saw last season. At times we couldn't field a full bench, like at Crawley.

"I think we have a bigger and stronger squad now, so hopefully we won't run into those kind of problems."