MICK Jenkins insists there is still time for any of his current Dorchester players to persuade him to extend their contracts.

Several Magpies favourites from previous seasons, including men like Matt Groves and Justin Keeler who were regularly among the top scorers under previous boss Mark Morris, have struggled to command regular starts in Jenkins' line-ups since the side's Conference South form dipped after the turn of the year.

And this has sparked speculation among Avenue Stadium fans that there may be among some high profile casualties at the end of this campaign as the former Havant and Waterlooville boss looks to mould his own squad.

But Jenkins said today: "Of course I am looking ahead to next season - but all my players will have the chance to impress me between now and the end of the season and it's up to the ones who are out of contract whether they take that chance or not.

"Since the Lewes fiasco, when I wondered if some of them really wanted to be here, I have been really encouraged by the attitude of all the players who have put in some great battling performances against top sides Salisbury, Welling, Histon and Fisher - even if we haven't got the results we deserved.

"I don't want to name names because that wouldn't be fair - but I may have to revise my opinion of one or two if they continue like that through the next six weeks."

Jenkins believes he needs a squad of around 20 to have a realistic chance of mounting a promotion challenge and will be looking to bring in five or six new players during the summer.

"I will be sitting down to talk to the chairman soon about next season and hopefully I will get a half decent budget that will allow me to do that because I am ambitious and want to take this club forward," he said.

"My aim is to manage in the Conference and I certainly don't want to be languishing in mid-table.

"We are not far away with the players we have, but we just need a little bit more quality, we must be a little more clinical up front and more rugged at the back.

"I have a good idea of the players I want to bring in and my contacts in and around the Conference and Conference South assure me that the right players will be available in the right areas and in the right wage bracket.

"I have had some good feedback from the inquiries I have made so far and all I am waiting for is an indication of what money will be available next season."

In the short term Jenkins said cover for teenage keeper Simon Evans is now likely to be his only acquisition before the transfer deadline next Thursday.

"Simon put in a much better performance in Monday night's draw at Fisher and hopefully that will help him regain his confidence," he said. "His recent mistakes highlighted the fact that it is a big ask to expect an 18 year old to produce the goods week in and week out at this level and that is why we need another keeper to take the pressure off him sometimes.

"The problem is we are not allowed any more short term loans, so I'm restricted to looking for someone on a non-contract basis."