POOLE Town will continue to play with two up-top – despite having no recognised strikers available at the club.

Tom Killick’s charges have turned to stalwarts Will Spetch and Luke Burbidge to lead the line in the absence of Tony Lee, who is recovering after surgery on his collarbone.

Spetch, a centre-half by trade, and Burbidge, primarily a winger, have excelled in an unfamiliar role, leaving Killick unkeen to change things despite playing the duo out of position.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Killick gave an update on Dolphins striker situation, saying: “When you look at it, Tony Lee has just had an operation, so best case scenario he is at least a month away, probably closer to six weeks.

“Will Fletcher is at least again, another four weeks.

“So, when I look at the squad now, the reality is in terms of out-and-out forwards – and when I say out-and-out forwards, people that can play as strikers really – I’ve only got Spetchy, Burbs, and Adwell (Chipangura.)

“Out of those three, none of them are really out-and-out strikers. Will, it’s not his normal position, Burbs, he is normally a winger, and Adwell would either play in behind or out wide, even though he is comfortable playing through the middle.”

The Daily Echo understand that Poole are currently in talks to bring in a striker from a sixth tier side, with the club keen to bolster their push for a playoff spot.

“Ideally, I do think we need more cover,” continued Killick.

“It’s a bit ironic that at a time where we’re desperately short of strikers, we’ve put in a couple of very good performances, so I’m reluctant to change that.

“It’s slightly ironic that we’ve stumbled across that as being reasonably effective, certainly in very recent games – at a time where we haven’t got the numbers to back it up.

“We’ll persevere with it – we’re still looking at other options in terms of additions.”

There is some good news on the loan front, with Killick confirming that Southampton youngster Teddy Davey would continue his stint at the Black Gold Stadium.

The 18-year-old had missed Poole’s previous three games due to COVID, with his loan running out at the start of January.

“Teddy’s loan has been extended,” revealled Killick.

“He will be back in the squad tomorrow. It will be month-by-month, but we’re hoping that it will end up going until the end of the season.”

Goalkeeper Tommy Scott has been de-registered with Poole, and after appearing for Wimborne Town midweek, has now signed for National League Weymouth.