Southend United manager Rob Newman hopes to give his ailing firing line a boost by signing a loan striker before the weekend.
Groin injuries are expected to again force crocked frontmen Tes Bramble, Mark Rawle and Tony Richards out of Saturday's Third Division trip to Lincoln City.
And Blues defender Phil Whelan, who was pushed up front as an emergency targetman during Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Leyton Orient, is also struggling after badly bruising the bone in his arm.
However, the Shrimpers chief said he would be trying to recruit cover in the forward berths by clinching a deal for a new hitman today.
"I'm hoping to bring in a striker who I've been tracking for a while now," said Newman.
"I haven't been able to make a move for the player over the last few weeks as we had both Ian Selley and Brian Barry-Murphy on loan at Roots Hall.
"But they have left us now, which gives me the option to try and bring the player on board. All I can say is that he is currently on the books of a club in a higher division and plays in the targetman role."
Newman also confirmed that Preston midfielder Barry-Murphy was unlikely to re-join Blues on loan. But talks were continuing with Wimbledon and Selley could return to play at Sincil Bank.
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Published Thursday, March 14, 2002
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