CHIPPENHAM Town manager Mark Collier says certain members of his squad have the final four games of the National League South campaign to convince him they should be retained for the 2019-20 season.

The Bluebirds have little more than the minor mid-table placings to play for between now and the end of the month as they currently sit 13th in the table.

Neither promotion or relegation is on the agenda as Chippenham are 11 points adrift of the play-off places and 13 clear of the bottom three.

To ensure motivation does not wane over the concluding fixtures, starting during Saturday’s trip to Dartford, Collier has warned that potential places in the Hardenhuish-Park camp for next season are on the line.

“There are four or five players, who have been absolutely outstanding and a credit to work with.

“Then there are another four or five who haven’t done enough, and we need to have conversations with them,” said Collier.

“We will have those conversations over the next few weeks, but players are running out of time to make their mark.

“The ball is in their court. We are down to limited numbers at the moment, so if players do get an opportunity, they need to grasp it with both hands and make sure they are in the forefront of my thinking for next season.”

Chippenham head to the Darts on Saturday looking to arrest an end-of-season slump in form.

A 2-1 defeat for Collier’s troops at home to Dulwich Hamlet last weekend means Town are without a win in their last six matches and have only collected a solitary league point in that time.

Having had to contend with a succession of injury issues throughout the season, the Bluebirds boss says those ailments are finally beginning to catch-up with the camp.

However, with a top-half finish still a realistic prospect for his side, Collier has no doubt this season remains a success.

“There is no doubt we are in a poor run, but it is a difficult, unforgiving division and we are missing some big, influential players, as we have done for most of the season,” said Collier.

“We have four players that have had operations, we have a goalkeeper who was in a brace for four months – that has an effect on any club at this level.

“I have managed nearly 600 games at this level and the level below and I have never known a season like it for injuries.

“And serious injuries as well – ones where players have gone for scans and been told they need an operation. That has had a big say in how we’ve fared.

“You can replace those players, but you can’t replace their experience and that is catching up with us now. We must remember what we’ve had to go through.

“It is tough league and there are some big clubs who are perhaps going to be relegated in the next couple of weeks and we are not one them.”