KEITH Curle has told his players to keep their professional standards high and guard against suffering from end of season syndrome.

Latics have nothing to play for as the season comes to a close on Saturday at home to Forest Green, a side who are looking to secure a League Two play-off spot on the final day.

But while there is nothing on it for his own men, he says professional pride must be paramount in their preparations as the club makes plans for next season.

"The players need to make sure they know it doesn't matter if it's the first game of the season, last game of the season or a game in mid-season it's an opportunity for you to go out and perform, and put in a performance that you're proud of,” said Curle, who is keen for his side to bounce back from back-to-back defeats, most notably a disappointing result and performance at Mansfield on Saturday.

"As soon as I came into the building I tried to improve and raise standards in and around the building, and that doesn't change. I've got good professional standards of the environment I want to work in.

"The guidelines that we have set out here are not to get relaxed just because it's the last game of the season. There are professional standards that are there to be adhered to, and ultimately they benefit the players because it's their environment and it's educating them in how professional environments work. That doesn't matter what division you are in. I won't change. I want people to come up to the level of expectations that I have for them.”

Curle, who had a playing career that spanned more than two decades and 10 clubs, said the players’ work ethic and commitment had to be shown on more than just a matchday to make a difference.

He added: “I've been there, I know what's required in the environment they want to work and to give them the best opportunity so when they go out to train they're in the right mindset because if you're sloppy off the pitch and you're sloppy in your environment don't think you're able to turn the tap and put in a performance on a daily basis in training that you can be proud of.”