Stallard has played more than 500 league games (Getty)

Mansfield Town striker Mark Stallard says manager Billy McEwan will bring a professional approach to Field Mill.

McEwan took charge of the Stags earlier this month and made the 33-year-old his first signing.

Stallard told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I've got total faith and belief in him from working with him before at Derby.

"I know how professional he is. Things will certainly be run the right way when he is given enough time to get them working his way."

Stallard - who has now been joined in the Stags squad by Jon D'Laryea, Adie Moses and Michael Blackwood - thinks fans will have to be patient with the new boss.

"I think he's going to need a bit of time because we're desperately short of numbers and the club's in a massive transitional period," Stallard said.

"There's plenty to do and he's certainly got his hands full.

"At the moment he's having to work hard just to get players in."