Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton says his players are "on trial for the next three games" with the Gas almost certain to be relegated.
Consecutive defeats to Lincoln City and MK Dons on Saturday and Tuesday have plunged Rovers to the bottom of League One, nine points from safety with three games to play. With an inferior goal difference and three teams ahead in the chasing pack, only the most miraculous of turnarounds could save the Gas now.
Barton was resigned to relegation on Tuesday, when he aired frustrations over players' professionalism and insisted the end is nigh for many players at the Mem.
Bristol Live asked Barton if younger players will be given a chance to impress in the dead rubbers to end a miserable campaign.
"We played the kids tonight," he replied. "Zain Walker played and I’ve had to take him off at half time because he looked like a lost soul.
"He’s a young kid learning his way. Pablo (Martinez) grafted well even though he’s probably not a centre midfielder but we’ve got no more midfielders so he’s got to play in there.
"That’ll be great experience for the young kids going forward, they’re the two that we can take out of it. There are a few a little older than that, that we’ll have to ask deeper questions.
"Luke McCormick I thought was outstanding, running around so much, he’s on loan and he’s going to a better team higher up the food chain because he deserves it. His heart’s outstanding, but when you’ve got a loan player doing that, it should embarrass some of the players who are here permanently.
"Again, you have to ask the question: does it hurt them enough? They’re all sitting in there, moping and sulking, nobody’s said a word and we’ll see how they respond on Saturday.
"For me, there are many of them on trial for the next three games."
Rovers have as many as 15 players out of contract this summer, though the club holds options on those. An exhaustive list is not publicly available due to Graham Coughlan's preference to keep contract lengths under wraps.
But Ed Upson – whose red card appeal following his sending off against Lincoln was rejected by the FA – Josh Hare, Mark Little, Luke Leahy, Alex Rodman, Abu Ogogo and Jordi van Stappershoef are among those nearing the end of their deals.
With so many players possibly reaching the end of their Rovers careers, another summer of change await the club.
"This is a tough division and you’ve got to be physical and the one we’re going into next season is even tougher, it’s going to be a scrap," Barton said.
"We need to build a team that’s capable of meeting the physical challenge. For some of these boys, it’s the biggest football club they’ll play for.
"I’m going to be in charge of recruitment, nobody else is going to butt in, it will all stop with me from this moment on."
