RONNIE Moore has hinted that some of his Eastleigh stars could be playing for their futures over the next two Vanarama National League games.

The Spitfires boss was distinctly unimpressed with Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Southport and is calling on his players to liven up their act at second-placed Forest Green Rovers tomorrow (Tuesday) and at fifth-placed Macclesfield on Saturday.

Moore has already started streamlining the squad he inherited from Chris Todd by releasing striker Yemi Odubade and sending defender Connor Essam on loan to Woking.

At least another two senior pros are expected to be shipped out to free up money for additional signings – a proven goalscorer being top of Moore’s wanted list - and it’s not just out-of-favour players like Jai Reason, Scott Wilson, Ayo Obileye and Ben Strevens who should be looking over their shoulders.

There were a few who played on Saturday who, the boss says, “need to shift themselves sharpish.”

Asked about any imminent departures, Moore said: “It’s all ifs, buts and maybes.

“We’ve got a massive week ahead and it will show me, I think, at the end of it, where we’re at, who we need to shift again and who we need to bring in.

“So far the teams we’ve played are teams we should be beating, but if they (the players) want to stay we’ve got to go to top-four teams and get results.

“I know we can improve if we add quality in the right areas.

“We tried our hardest to bring in a striker (last week) and got very close, but it hasn’t happened."

While Moore seems happy enough with former Sunderland frontman Mikael Mandron, who netted a belter against Southport, he is not convinced the blend is right up front.

“Mika’s done alright in there but, with some of the other lads, we can’t get a partnership going,” he said.

“Birdy (Ryan Bird) started and Beano's (James Constable) another. Beano’s got quality and brings us something different, but we need goals. When I say we need a striker, I mean someone who’s a proper finisher."

On the team's attacking play in general, Moore added: "We have to be forward-thinking. We've got six-inch nails in our heels when we should be on the front foot going forward."

Despite dropping to ninth, Eastleigh have edged a point closer to Forest Green who were knocked off top spot in a 4-3 televised defeat at Dover, ending their six-match winning run.

"I watched a bit of it and it was entertaining with good football," said Moore. "We've gained a point on them but it would've been nice to have gained three."

FGR boss Mark Cooper was surprised by his side's poor defending and has pledged to "shake things up" against Eastleigh.

"Whether they were on the tele and couldn't handle the pressure, I don't know, but there were one or two that really disappointed and we'll have to do something about that," he said.