TOM Killick admitted he was looking to bring in a potential loan recruit to bolster his Poole Town squad.

The Dolphins boss saw his striking options decimated last time out, with both Marvin Brooks and Richard Gillespie sent off during the 1-0 home defeat to Dartford.

With the pair set to serve respective three-match bans, Poole have only two recognised frontmen available at present.

Despite scoring twice on Wednesday for the club’s development side, striker Tony Lee’s loan deal at Southern League West AFC Totton is not up until later this month – ruling him out of an immediate return.

Warren Bentley and Ollie Balmer remain options for Killick, who has made contact with clubs in a bid to boost the numbers.

He told the Daily Echo: “We are now down to two strikers, which is not ideal.

“We had 16 players on Saturday with no other senior players available, that hasn’t changed other than losing Richard and Marvin.

“In terms of numbers we are straight away down to 14 and that’s why we are looking to see if there are any loans we can do.

“I am waiting on a phone call from a league club about a potential loan but I worry they have some injuries and are reluctant to let the player go until they are covered.

“We are working on things but time is running out for Saturday. Although, you still live in hope.”

Poole are on Saturday set to host Weston-super-Mare in National South (3pm) having not won at home in 10 league games this season.

They did however beat the Seagulls 2-1 in the reverse fixture on the opening day of the campaign.

Whether or not a fresh face is recruited in time for the encounter, Killick insisted he would have no problem giving youngster Balmer more game time.

“Ollie has displayed a very good attitude so far this season,” the Poole manager added.

“He has had limited opportunities but he trains really well and has been putting everything into his performances.

“I cannot fault the way he is applying himself and if he ends up benefitting from the situation with the strikers then, from a personal point of view, he deserves it. He has a lot of ability.

“I have a lot of confidence in him and I feel he will end up being a good goalscorer at National South level.

“Probably playing in behind the front striker doesn’t suit Ollie but I always like being able to give him opportunities. Hopefully there will be plenty of those for him over the coming weeks.

“We just have to make sure we have a clear plan in terms of how we are going to work it to make sure we are as effective as possible.”

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Lindsay, Moore, Spetch, Whisken, Pettefer, Dickson, Devlin, Bentley, Neale, Harfield, Bedford, Balmer, Rees.