ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman has warned his players they are fighting for their futures.

The Reds boss was devastated after Saturday's defeat at Notts County - their fourth loss in seven games - which left them fourth from bottom of the League Two table.

And he has admitted he is prepared to find replacements if any of his players fail to live up to his expectations.

"Players have got to realise the jobs they've got to do and they've got to stick to them to the letter of the law. If they don't then maybe come January some of them might be on their way," he said.

However, Coleman confessed that he had struggled to find the right candidates to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closed at the end of August.

"I want a striker and I've been trying to sign one for the last three months," he said.

"I made enquiries about Aaron McLean (Grays Athletic striker), I've made enquiries at Championship level, and Premiership level about taking a loan player and it's still ongoing with that.

"But everyone's in the same boat. I would say if you take the Premiership out of the equation, from the Championship down to our level that's 70-odd teams and probably 25 per cent of those are looking for a striker.

"It's like buying a house in a sought-after area. It becomes more and more difficult because the majority of people want the same thing.

"We're finding that to our cost and everyone else's.

"If you get a 20-goal a season striker then the chances are they're not going to stay for a second month.

"We've got a good scouting network and I've taken a lot of games in myself.

"I know the type of player I want but I won't be rushed into signing a striker just for the sake of it. I could have done that if I wanted to from one of the 20 e-mails I had in two days about players.

"But the player's got to be right for me and for the club.

"I'm not a believer in making do - in anything.

"You try to get what you deem is the best.

"Better players are going to be tied up. So you're looking at higher level players who can't get in (the first team) at their level and they've got to suit what you're trying to do."