Pool '˜hoping' to sign striker today

Pool have scored only once in five games and manager Neil McDonald has blamed their dreadful League One position on a lack of firepower.

He hopes to turn to the transfer market and a goalscorer is top of his shopping list. “I’m hoping to get someone before the weekend,” McDonald revealed.

“If not, we’ll try and bring a couple in before next week to freshen things up and give everyone a bit of a boost.

“We will be trying to bring people in who can put the ball in the net. It just has to be a striker who has the knack of scoring goals.

“We’ve done thousands and thousands of miles to try to find players to improve the team. We’ll keep on doing that until the window shuts (clubs can sign free agents or loan players until next Thursday).”

Blackpool added the inexperienced Liam Smith from Newcastle two weeks ago but the midfielder hadn’t kicked a ball in a senior game before making his debut against Coventry last weekend. He was substituted at Oldham on Tuesday.

But McDonald may turn to another youngster. He said: “Experienced players would help, of course, but there are lots of players out there who can score goals. It doesn’t matter if they are young or old. Hopefully we can try to nick one.

“Myself and Karl (Oyston, chairman) are working hard behind the scenes to bring some players in.”

Pool already have five loan players – the maximum they can name in a 19-man matchday squad – though goalkeeper Dean Lyness’ second spell of the season ends on Tuesday and can’t be extended under league rules.

McDonald said: “Dean is going back, so we thank him for all his efforts. We’ll see how that develops and where he’s at with Burton. He’s been good for us and we wish him all the best .”