AFC Fylde manager Dave Challinor is desperate to bring in new faces after Saturday’s humiliating 5-0 defeat away at promotion rivals Salford City.

The Coasters boss is currently waiting on the fitness of five of his key players, with captain Josh Langley and potential first-choice midfield trio Andy Bond, James Hardy and Sam Finley, along with winger Matty Hughes, all missing the trip to Moor Lane as Fylde suffered their heaviest defeat at this level.

Despite the disappointment, Challinor’s side are still nine points clear at the top of the National League North table, although third-placed Kidderminster Harriers have two games in hand.

Challinor has already brought in two players over the past fortnight – young midfielders Kristian Scott and Tom Holland – but admits he is keen to bring in at least two more this week.

“We are working tirelessly to bring in new faces before the weekend.

“The four lads that were already injured in the lead up to the game are big losses for us and if they were fit then they would absolutely be starting for us. Plus we lost Matty Hughes the day before the game too and he was in line to start.

“It should give others a chance to prove themselves but I don’t think there will be many knocking on my door and defending themselves after Saturday.

“We had the players in first thing on Sunday morning after the game because the performance wasn’t acceptable.

“We don’t have the biggest squad so when you have injuries, you don’t have too many options. As I said after the game, every one of them believes they should be in the starting line-up.

“Well after that performance, it was clear for all to see that some of them don’t deserve to be.

“As a manager, I can keep telling them the same thing over and over, but if they don’t listen then there’s only so much I can do. If people aren’t prepared to get stuck in and have a desire to defend and head the ball then there’s not a lot I can do.

“Maybe the players think we are talking rubbish, I don’t know. Well they certainly know what happens if they don’t listen now.

“The goals we conceded were nothing to do with a lack of planning or preparation, it’s down to a complete lack of desire to get in front of your man. We failed to show that right the way through and ultimately paid a heavy price.”