Caldwell calls on Exeter City strikers to step up

Gary Caldwell's side has kept nine clean sheets in 14 League One matches

Gary Caldwell says Exeter City's forwards need to do more to challenge Northern Ireland striker Josh Magennis.

The 34-year-old missed Saturday's 0-0 draw with Lincoln City as he helped his country beat Belarus 2-0 in the Uefa Nations League.

He has scored four times in 15 games for City this season and been a key part of a Grecians side that are three points off the League One play-off places.

Magennis was one of three Exeter players away on international duty alongside Finland's Ilmari Niskanen and England Under-20 player Kamari Doyle.

City had to play the fixture - despite having three players away - as Brighton and Hove Albion loanee Doyle's late call-up came after the deadline to request a postponement.

"He's been a phenomenal player for us and he's our number nine, so when we miss him we're going to struggle a little bit," Caldwell said of Magennis.

"But that should be an open door for Mili (Millenic Alli), Jay (Bird) or Sonny Cox - they need to push Josh more and say 'we want your jersey'.

"That's where the competition comes into the group where we have to drive each other.

"But any team that misses a player, a top player, is going to struggle and that is the case.

"Not just with Josh, we're missing Immi as well and the energy Immi gives the team is phenomenal.

"The squad that we have we believe in it, but these are big players that are hard to replace."