MARK PATTERSON has warned Chorley's player - "shape up or ship out!"

The angry Magpies boss is unimpressed with the fitness levels of the UniBond First Division club just four games into his reign.

And with Christmas on the horizon, Patterson has set the players a New Year deadline to beat the bulge and retain their first team places.

He fumed: "The players know what is required of them and I know they are just not fit enough.

"They need to get themselves fit and I expect them to be in a lot better shape after Christmas and the New Year. If not, they will not be playing for this club much longer."

Chorley head to Hyde United tomorrow looking for only their second clean sheet of the season.

But Patterson has been given a boost as Ian Leather and Billy McCartney will be paired together for the first time this season.

The duo formed a solid defensive shield last season, when the Magpies were just one penalty kick away from promotion in the play-off final.

However, Patterson revealed he is closing in on the signing of another central defender to shore up the back line.

He added: "I've spoken to four or five players already and I'm just waiting for a telephone call back over a defender I hope to sign."