WEYMOUTH caretaker-boss Alan Lewer is facing a fight to hold on to his top stars.

The loan transfer deadline is set for 5pm today and it is understood that around half of the Terras’ squad could be on the way out in a cost cutting exercise that would surely end any hopes Weymouth harbour of breaking into the Blue Square Premier play-offs, of which they are four points adrift.

Strikers Stuart Beavon and Chris McPhee have been attracting interest from a host of clubs as have Anton Robinson, Ryan Williams, Santos Gaia and Scott Doe.

Stephen Reed and James Coutts have also been linked with possible moves as the Terras look to cut their expenditure in the midst of chairman Malcolm Curtis’ pending departure.

The majority shareholder revealed just over three weeks ago that his position had become untenable and that unless an offer for the club was on the table by the end of the month he would have to make serious cutbacks.

Meetings have been taking place at the Wessex Stadium all week but it is unclear who is leading the chase to take over with a consortium of local businessmen and Dorchester Town chairman Eddie Mitchell still being touted as the frontrunners.

Lewer, who assumed control of first-team affairs after John Hollins was put on gardening leave, is philosophical about the situation and is still hoping to keep hold of his top assets.

He said: “At this moment in time nothing has been sorted and no one has left. I would like them to stay but there are enquiries for players and fair play to them as they’ve put themselves in the shop window by performing well.”