LEIGH RMI boss Phil Starbuck has asked his players to follow the example of battling midfielder Wayne Maden.

Starbuck has constantly questioned some of his players' commitment during a run of five successive defeats, which culminated in Saturday's 2-0 setback against fellow strugglers Farnborough Town, and says that Maden is one player they should emulate.

"They players need to have pride when they put on an RMI shirt and need to have passion and heart," he said. "I look to Wayne Maden as an example, even though he has not even played recently. I want them to take a leaf out of his book.

"If you put Maden in there, he will do a crunching tackle and take the lot. We miss that bite.

"We were out-thought and out-fought in midfield against Farnborough. It is a thinking man's game. I can't fault them for effort and their running, but when it is time for a crunch tackle, some of them are pulling out.

"Unfortunately there is nothing I can do about changing players at the moment, because they are on contracts."

Maden is expected to return to the side for Saturday's vital home clash with Morecambe on Saturday, after recovering from a nose injury which required an operation, and has kept him on the sidelines for four weeks.