Reggie Lambe’s move to Mansfield Town could be in doubt although Paul Cox, the manager of the Sky Bet League Two side, has insisted that he is still keen to sign the Bermuda winger.

No information has been forthcoming as to why the deal has not been finalised, with Cox left frustrated by Lambe’s paperwork and international clearance not being completed before the 2-1 defeat by Wycombe Wanderers last weekend.

Lambe impressed Cox while training with Mansfield last week, scoring two superb goals in a behind-closed-doors friendly against North Counties East Football League side Worksop. Cox admitted that he was disappointed that Lambe was not yet a Mansfield player because he believed the 23-year-old would provide his team with another dimension.

“I still hope I can bring [Reggie] in. If not we will have to soldier on. If I have to stick to my quota of 21 [players] we will have to do the best we possibly can,” Cox said.

“Reggie is a good player who would give us another dimension when we want to try different systems. He can play anywhere across midfield, in the hole or up front.”

Lambe, who had a trial at League One side Bradford City in pre-season, began his career with Championship side Ipswich Town and was given his debut by manager Roy Keane. He had a loan spell at Bristol Rovers, who have since been relegation to the non-League, before joining Major League Soccer side Toronto FC, where he made 66 appearances, scoring five goals before being released. In April, he signed a three-month contract with Swedish side Nyköpings.

“We desperately need a couple of bodies to take some pressure off the lads here,” added Cox.

“They are going through a brick wall for this club right now. But they are human beings and they are putting their health and fitness on the line for this club.”

Cox expects to be in the dugout for today’s visit of Morecambe after he was sent to the stands in stoppage time for kicking a water bottle in anger when his players failed to take the quick free kick that he was demanding.

“I spoke to the referee after the game and asked why I had been sent to the stand and he said it was for kicking a water bottle,” he said.

“I told him it was out of frustration and a bit of passion and that I was a bit disappointed at the decision. He admitted he should have come across and just given me a telling-off.

“So it will be interesting to see what the FA say. Sometimes people need to use common sense. No one was injured or abused and I was within my technical area.”