It has been a frustrating few weeks for Mansfield Town for the right and the wrong reasons.

The bigger picture shows that the Stags are winless in their last eight games and have only won two games since the end of February.

But Nigel Clough's side have only lost two of those last eight games, and on more than one occasion, they should have picked up all three points rather than just the one.

Clough will be hoping to see his side mathematically secure safety as soon as possible, with the club sitting nine points clear of the relegation zone with five games remaining.

The manager will then be keen to strengthen his squad and get his own players through the door, and by doing so, players will have to make way.

Here, we take a look at eight players Mansfield could sell or release ahead of what could be a busy summer transfer window...

Perch signed for hometown club on a one-year deal in the summer, having previously been on the books at Scunthorpe United in League Two.

The former Nottingham Forest, Wigan and Newcastle midfielder was brought to the One Call Stadium by Graham Coughlan, but has still been a regular under Nigel Clough.

In total, Perch has made 26 appearances in Sky Bet League Two this season, scoring two goals and chipping in with one assist.

But at the age of 35, he doesn't exactly represent a long-term option, questioning whether it make financial sense to offer him a new deal with his current one up in the summer.

transfermarkt state that Bowery's contract at the One Call Stadium is up in the summer.

Even if that isn't accurate, though, the striker could still attract interest from elsewhere after an impressive season in front of goal.

The forward joined from MK Dons in the summer, and has since scored 10 goals in 37 League Two appearances, chipping in with a further five assists.

Bowery has found his feet in front of goal after a challenging time at MK Dons, and his form could see him attract admiring glances from further up the footballing pyramid.

Clough bolstered his defensive options with the signing of free agent Jake Wright in February.

Wright, who was a promotion winner with Oxford United in 2015/16 and later joined Sheffield United under Chris Wilder, possesses plenty of experience at the back.

The 35-year-old has since made two appearances in League Two under Clough, though, and has amassed 13 minutes of football in total.

He has been left out of the squad for the last four games, and at 35, you have to wonder whether it would make sense to extend his contract and offer him a new deal, a bit like Perch.

Riley impressed in the second half of last season having penned a deal until the end of the season from Plymouth Argyle in January.

He extended his stay by putting pen to paper on a new one-year deal at the One Call Stadium, but his spell would soon turn into a nightmare.

In August, Riley was ruled out for around six to eight months after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligaments in pre-season training.

As much as that isn't Riley's fault, the club is a business, and would it make sense to offer him a new deal if he isn't completely ready to play football and has only just recovered from a serious injury?

Benning has been a tremendous servant to Mansfield Town.

The left-back signed for the Stags under Adam Murray in 2015/16, and has since racked up 250 appearances for the club in all competitions.

Benning - who has spent six years at the One Call Stadium - has made 31 appearances in League Two this season.

But with his contract up in the summer, then there is every chance of him moving elsewhere and wanting to test himself at another club.

It will be a tricky decision for him.

McLaughlin left Southend United for Mansfield in the summer, penning a deal until the end of the season with the Stags.

The former Notts County loanee and Nottingham Forest winger has made 30 appearances in League Two this season, scoring one goal and registering two assists.

The Irishman is now 30 years of age, and it remains to be seen how Clough views his future and whether he wants to offer him a new deal or not.

Clough's formation going forward may be a deciding factor.

Sweeney is another player who has been key for Mansfield over the last couple of years, and is also out of contract in the summer.

The defender joined Mansfield on loan from Stoke in 2018/19, helping David Flitcroft's side into the play-offs, before penning a permanent move the following summer.

This season, the 24-year-old has made 37 appearances across all competitions, with 31 of those coming in the Championship, scoring two goals.

The club have a decision to make on his future, with his contract set to run out in the coming months. It will be interesting to see if another side keep an eye on him.

Ward was previously on Mansfield's books before moving to Barnsley, but after being let go by the Tykes, he is now back at the One Call Stadium.

The 20-year-old penned a deal until the end of the season back in March, and since then, Clough has been able to have a good look at him.

Ward has played 65 minutes of football across three appearances in League Two, and has been an unused substitute in their last five games.

He is still a raw talent, and it remains to be seen whether he has done enough or does enough to earn himself a new deal.