RONNIE Moore has questioned the toughness of some Oldham Athletic players as the club prepares for Saturday's trip to Doncaster Rovers.

Mental as well as physical toughness has come under the microscope with Moore believing some of his players need to strengthen up.

Midfielder Richard Butcher and striker Chris Hall have been named by the boss as players who need to improve on those areas.

Butcher is a player who has noticeably wilted in the face of criticism from supporters, while Hall received a half-time rocket during the reserves' Manchester Senior Cup Final defeat to Manchester United on Tuesday.

Moore said: "Chris Hall has got three or four little knocks but he's 6ft 3ins and needs toughening up. I'll be having a word in his ear because the size he is, he's got to be physically and mentally stronger than he is.

"It's easy to miss training and games with little knocks but if he comes through and says he's fit, he's got a chance of starting on Saturday.

"If that was me, I wouldn't be in the treatment room having treatment on something that wouldn't allow me to miss training - I'd keep it quiet and hope the manager picked me.

"We said to him at half-time on Tuesday that kids might sign new contracts but they can be torn up and the kids sent on their way.

"Second half, his application was better than it was in the first half and it's surprising how you can do when you get a size nine up your backside.

"Butcher looks like he's got all the troubles in the world. He's got so much going for him that sometimes you feel like shaking him, but the crowd have got to him.

"He's the crowd's favourite whipping boy if you like. Guy Branston got a bit of it last season but he's psychologically stronger than Butcher and he dealt with it.

"(Terrell) Forbes has got some stick, is he strong enough to cope with it? There's no doubt about Butcher's ability - if we decided to let him go, there would be more than 10 or 11 clubs queuing up for him."