ALEX boss Steve Davis says the squad are playing for their futures for the rest of the season, regardless of what division they are in, writes Matt Turner.

Following Saturday’s 3-2 loss at Sheffield United, and Monday’s 1-0 defeat to Bradford at Gresty Road, The Alex are bottom of League One and 11 points from safety with just seven games remaining.

It means that The Alex are facing a monumental battle to beat the drop and would need to turn things around quickly with time running out.

The squad head south to face Peterborough United this weekend looking for their first win since beating Rochdale on February 6.

Davis said he is looking for certain players to step up with a number of them out of contract in May.

“I told a lot of them in January they were playing for their future.

“Some of them have stepped forward, some haven’t,” he said.

“I think that there are about 14 players who are out of contract.

“That includes a number of the younger ones, so it will depend on what quality we need going forward, whether that is in this league or the one below.

“We have to build a team that is prepared to win games and work their socks off for this football club.

“Anybody that doesn’t fit into that isn’t going to be here next season.”

After a promising first half against Bradford City on Monday, Jamie Proctor’s goal saw them lose their fourth game in a row.

Davis says his side have to improve their mental strength if they are to have any chance of staying in League One.

“When you play like we did in the second half against Sheffield United and then again against Bradford, especially in the first half, then you expect to get something out of it,” he said.

“That is what has happened on too many occasions this season; some of them tend to accept that we will play reasonably well but will eventually succumb to a defeat.

“We probably didn’t get what we deserved over Easter after two decent performances from us but that has been the story for much of the season.”

Easter Monday also saw young striker Daniel Udoh make his Alex debut, coming off the bench to replace Lauri Dalla Valle in the second half.

The former Ilkeston Town man nearly scored with an ambitious overhead kick and his manager says he will get more chances to impress.

“We have signed Daniel as one for the future but we want to see what he can do and that is why I was eager to give him a chance,” he said.

“I have been impressed with the way he has trained and the way he has picked things up quickly.

“He will get some more opportunities to play before the end of the season, as it will only benefit him for the future.”