Cherries: Howe in no rush to sign striker (From Bournemouth Echo)

Cherries: Howe in no rush to sign striker

7:00am Thursday 9th September 2010 in

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BOSS Eddie Howe is on the look-out for potential loan recruits but admits Cherries’ impressive goalscoring form means there is no rush to bring in a new striker.

Howe reported that he had been on scouting missions in the past few days in a bid to identify possible targets, should he choose to bolster Cherries’ resources.

The Dean Court chief revealed he was running the rule over trialist frontmen Ashley Chambers (Leicester City) and Simon Dawkins (Tottenham Hotspur), with a forward appearing to be the priority in his player search.

Howe has previously stated his intention to strengthen his attacking options. Michael Symes is not fully fit, Steve Fletcher has just returned to training and Steve Lovell is recovering from ankle surgery, leaving a shortage of available and seasoned strikers.

But despite that, Cherries have not struggled in front of goal and Howe insists that, while their fine record continues, there is no need to panic and make signings.

Speaking to the Echo yesterday, Howe said: “We’re still a little bit light in that area, with Symesey making good progress, but slow progress, from his shoulder problem.

“Jayden Stockley and Lyle Taylor are coming on and both did well in the reserves, so they’re improving all the time and are there as well.

“But in terms of recognised and experienced strikers, we’re a little bit light.”

When asked if someone could be brought in before the weekend, he said: “It’s a possibility but, as I’ve said before, we’re not going to bring in someone for the sake of it.

“Fletch is nearing fitness, so that will give us another option.

“Currently, we’re scoring a healthy amount of goals, so it’s not really a problem at the moment.

“As long as we continue to score goals, there will be no need to panic and bring in someone.”

Discussing the player search, Howe added: “We decide very carefully before we bring in anyone, so it will be a case of identifying the areas and then identifying the players.

“We’ve been to watch a lot of games this week with a view to loans – it’s just a case of putting it all together – so we’ll wait and see what happens.

“We’re always busy scouring what’s around, but it changes on a regular basis due to injuries, who’s available and things like that.

“Even if we’ve got everybody fit, we’re always out and about to see the next potential player we can fit into our squad.”

Howe also revealed Cherries were “still looking at the goalkeeper situation”, with Shwan Jalal’s understudy Dan Thomas sidelined by a medial ligament problem.