Steve Watt says every member of his Margate squad is playing for their future between now and the end of the campaign.

The Gate boss admits he is keeping an open mind about who he wants for next season and it’s up to the players to convince him they can play a part in his re-building job at Hartsdown.

Watt, whose side have just six games to secure survival in Vanarama National League South, starting at home to Truro on Saturday, said: “Everyone here is playing for their futures at the club, if they want to be here.

“I’ll keep putting that across. There is a future here for everyone if they perform and if they do what is asked of them.

“There is no one here pinned down (beyond the end of the season) because I didn’t want anyone feeling comfortable.

“I want people playing because they want to be here and not thinking ‘it’s OK I’m sorted for next year’ so I’m not about to go to players and try to tie them down now for next year.

“If players want to stay here, they can show me on the pitch with their attitude, application and how they play.

“I want them to show the desire to play for Margate. A decision will be made towards the end of the season certainly when we know where we’re going to be.”

Watt still believes the Blues can stay up despite them being 12 points from safety but says that whichever division they are in next season, there has to be more stability.

He added: “I’m trying to build a side, I want some players here for longevity. The club has used over 60 players this season which is incredible but I want to change that.

“I want players to be a spine here, that will be here for years to come. I want a team that fans can relate to and that fans can see every week because that’s what they need. They need stability on the pitch on as well as off it.”

Meanwhile, the Gate have extended Marvin Hamilton's loan spell from Whitehawk until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old utility man originally moved to Hartsdown on a 28-day deal and made his debut in the 2-0 home defeat to Chelmsford at the end of February.

Midfielder Joe Morrell, who has hardly featured since signing on loan from Bristol City, is the latest player to leave Margate while winger Ira Jackson has returned to Dover after his latest loan deal ended on Thursday.