WHILE most members of Swindon Supermarine’s squad are playing for their futures, the caretaker manager still sees playing as his future.

Gary Horgan took the reins alongside fellow defender Matt Robinson following the departure of Mark Collier in February.

At the time, the 33-year-old suggested it was a short-term measure, and six weeks working with a shoestring budget and a decimated squad has done little to change his mind.

“I was never under any illusions how difficult this job was going to be,” said Horgan, pictured.

“It’s really been an eye-opener how difficult it is and the amount of work it entails.

“I’ve enjoyed it but it has been very difficult especially with the constraints the club is working under at the moment.

“For me I would say it’s still probably not the right time (to go into management permanently).

“I still want to focus on playing football and that has been very difficult when you’re doing this job because you worry more about other people and not about your own game.”

But will Horgan be happy to remain at the Webb’s Wood Stadium as a player and go from calling the shots to taking the orders?

He said: “That situation doesn’t really bother me but a lot will depend on who ultimately gets the job.”

Marine sit safely in midtable in the Southern Premier, with the threat of relegation and hopes of the play-offs both distant memories.

A trip to big-spending title-chasers Truro tomorrow should provide some motivation but Horgan insists there is still plenty at stake for the players.

He said: “Having played football myself for so long - probably too long - I expect the lads to want to go out there and perform for themselves.

“Personal pride should make you want to go out and perform every week regardless of where you are in the league and what you’ve got to play for.

“A lot of these lads are playing for their futures too, with a view to where they will be next season - whether that’s at Supermarine or somewhere else.

“Truro have got quality right through the side. Their big budget is well-documented and you don’t sign someone like Barry Hayles if you haven’t got aspirations of going up.

“It’s a very difficult ask for us.”

Leigh Henry has returned to Bath after making a midweek cameo against Weymouth, while Ashan Holgate and Will Puddy are still injured.

Dave Bampton serves the last game of his suspension and Mitch Bryant begins his two-game ban.

Elsewhere in the Premier, Chippenham travel to Stourbridge needing a win to keep their play-off hopes alive, and Cirencester trek to relegation-threatened Bedford.