Striker tops wanted list

Paul Dickov: keen to find a strong striker to boost the side

Dickov eyes fresh faces as deadline day looms
ATHLETIC hope to complete business on a number of fronts before tomorrow’s transfer deadline, with a new striker remaining the number one priority.

Manager Paul Dickov has experienced frustration in his long-standing search to bring in fresh blood to a squad that is currently wafer-thin as a result of injuries, ineligibility and international call-ups.

Josh Parker (knee) and Dean Furman (knee) are nursing injuries, Nathan Clarke cannot play against his parent club Huddersfield on Saturday because of the terms of his loan agreement and Carl Winchester is away on international duty, meaning he misses that same fixture.

In addition to a new front man, the Athletic boss could look to bring in a wide player and with cash a continuing concern at the club, long-terms loans could be brokered before tomorrow’s 11pm cut-off point.

“The manager has been trying for weeks,” said Athletic's chief executive Alan Hardy of the striker search, while also stating that it is unlikely that players will be heading out of the club imminently.

“It has not worked out at the moment, as clubs have been waiting until the last minute to do business.

“There are a number of positions he is looking at.”

Athletic have said they are not one of the sides in for Charlton striker Paul Benson, whom former boss Phil Parkinson is trying to take to Bradford, and have admitted defeat in efforts to attract Norwich City striker Cody McDonald to the club.

Elsewhere in npower League One, Charlton have signed Burnley defender Leon Cort on a season-long loan.