Rangers boss' battle to keep squad

Stafford Rangers manager Greg Clowes today admitted he faces a battle to keep his squad together after their recent upturn in form.

Clowes has named an unchanged team for the last three games and Rangers have gone four games without defeat.

But a settled side has pushed players out of the first-team picture and, in some cases, out of the match-day squad.

It comes at a price for those watching the game from the stands – only players in the 16 get paid.

Effectively training each week for free, the out-of-favour members of what has swelled into a 25-man squad could opt to move on.

Clowes said: "If you are in the 16, you get paid, anybody outside of the squad doesn't get paid and that's how we look at things.

"I want players to be dying to get into the squad but all of the lads who are not getting in the team, at this moment in time, are non-contract.

"I know lads are not going to stick around forever, especially when they not being paid."

The Rangers boss will consider loaning players out provided they can be called back to Marston Road, at short notice if necessary, if needed.

Sean Jones and Sam Bell are getting game time at Ellesmere Rangers and Brocton respectively and Clowes believes it could work the club's benefit.

He said: "We have had a couple of enquiries and I am open to that, rather than letting people go.

"If we loan players out, we have some control over them and, if we pick up injuries, we can call them back.

"And we have some good players here who are not getting in the squad."