East Preston are confident they can put out two teams tomorrow even though a player exodus has already begun following boss Vic Short's resignation.

Four players, including skipper Jimmy Smith, have already left, but chairman Brian Harwood and caretaker manager Wayne Wren believe they will be able to put out a side for the division one clash at Rye and the reserves' home league match against Ringmer.

Short quit a week ago claiming the club's committee were interfering too much in his decision-making.

The players went on strike in sympathy for their former manager and the club have already been fined £100 for failing to turn up for last Saturday's Senior Cup game against Eastbourne Town.

A reserve team fixture was also cancelled and the Sussex FA are still considering whether to charge the club and the striking players with bringing the game into disrepute.

As well as Smith, Brett Neale, Josh Sutcliffe and reserve teamer Chris Cousins have also confirmed they have played their last game for the club.

But Wren has registered the rest of the youth team squad in order to bolster numbers and was confident of persuading the remaining senior players to stay at last night's training session.

Harwood said: "We're pretty hopeful that the majority will stay and Wayne was expecting to get a good response last night.

"They can't all go and play elsewhere anyway because of the rules regarding transfers.

"We just want to put all that has happened behind us and move on."

Wren's long-term future is undecided. Former Horsham stalwart Mark Chaplin, who played for East Preston before retiring, joined the club's coaching staff at Short's request last month and he may be offered the job on a permanent basis with Wren as his assistant.

Harwood expects his squad to attract interest elsewhere, but clubs are only allowed to sign one player a month from another team which means a maximum of four could end up at the same club before the transfer deadline in March.

The rest of his senior management team quit in sympathy with Short, so youth team boss Mike Duffell is expected to be in charge of the reserves tomorrow.