Trialist Nicky Ward played against Colchester last night but will not feature again as Jimmy Quinn's search for a fourth striker goes on. The versatile former TNS player was a willing runner for the hour he was on the pitch, but Quinn doesn't feel he has a gap in the squad for him.
"Nicky is a good player but having watched him play up front tonight I think he's more of a wide player," said the U's boss. "He's played mainly on the left hand side but he has played up front for his team and scored goals so I've had a look, but he's not a natural centre forward.
"Playing with your back to goal is a specialised position and we need somebody who's used to playing in that role. I am looking for a forward and everyone is looking for the same thing, but there aren't too many about."
This summer Quinn has brought in Lee Boylan and Scott Rendell who have both scored goals at this level, and re-signed Dan Chillingworth who missed out through injury last night but has always linked effectively with a variety of front men, but he wants a fourth striker to complete the squad.
"We've missed out on quite a few who have gone into the League or stayed with some of the bigger clubs in our division so its difficult, but I'll keep trying," he commented. "We've been to watch a few other teams in recent weeks but I haven't really seen anyone that I've liked.
"I have an option on a player who's at a League club at present and it's just a case of whether we can sort the deal out.
"He's an experienced player who would do very well in this league but it's down to finances and whether we can afford him, and whether he wants to come here because the club in question is quite a distance away.
"I'm optimistic about it and I'd rate it a 70/30 chance at the moment," he added. "He knows one or two of our lads so that might have a bearing on it, and I'll make some further enquiries tomorrow."
Quinn is not ruling out a return for Kettering striker Steve Burton (above), but after playing him for 85 minutes on Saturday he needed to look at Ward last night and wants to give Scott Rendell a longer spell on the pitch at Cambridge City on Saturday.
"I've looked at two players in the last two games and Scott deserves to play 90 minutes," said Quinn.
"A couple of his layoffs tonight were a little bit lacking because of his touch and that's because he needs match practice, so I need to give him that time on Saturday."
United's next match is at Cambridge City on Saturday, kick off 3pm. Admission prices are:
Adults £10
OAP / 12-16 year olds / students with ID £5
Under 12s Free
Family ticket (2 adults and up to three under 16s) £20
[Match report] [Fixture list]
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