Latics boss determined to snare right striker

HIT MAN . . . Jonathan Forte (right) has been Athletic’s main goal threat so far this season.

ATHLETIC are talking to new striker targets – but manager Lee Johnson insists he will not be rushed into a panic signing.

The failure to score at Notts County in a sixth unbeaten game means the goals tally for the season stands at only 10 from 11 games.

The return to fitness of five-goal top scorer Jonathan Forte after a two-week lay-off provides renewed hope as Johnson tries to find a cutting edge. The left-sided forward played at Meadow Lane despite not training in the build-up to the game.

Johnson is hunting for fresh talent to complement the likes of Forte, Dominic Poleon, Danny Philliskirk and borrowed Bolton youngster Conor Wilkinson. But he again quashed talk that a swoop for ex-Wolves free-agent Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is on the cards.

“I honestly don’t know where some of these rumours come from, but the situation with Ebanks-Blake remains the same,” Johnson told the Chronicle. “We asked him in to train and we’re still waiting. There have been no discussions.

“We are in discussions with a couple of targets, but again these things can take time because we’re trying for that kind of quality we might not be able to get, financially speaking.

“We have some funds available, but any deal has to be right.”

Johnson believes Forte will be fit to play his former club, Scunthorpe, at SportsDirect.com Park on Saturday. The 28 year old has been troubled by a knee problem all season.

“We threw him straight back in at Notts County mainly because he’s our top scorer and he is a real threat, but it was difficult for him,” said Johnson. “He hadn’t trained until the day before and it can be hard to get back into the pace.

“He had a couple of chances, but he faded a bit and ended up coming off, which is understandable.”

As he bids to make it seven unbeaten this weekend, Athletic’s boss says he can’t ask any more of his squad in terms of attitude.

“We still have plenty of belief in ourselves and though we might be in 14th place in the table, just a couple of wins would take us right up there. There’s plenty to build on and be confident about.”