CHIPPENHAM Town are looking to bolster their strike options ahead of this weekend’s clash with St Neots.

Bluebirds boss Mark Collier has confirmed that they have put in a seven-day approach for a forward.

With Ashan Holgate missing Saturday’s win over Dorchester and Andy Sandell coming off early in the same game injured, Collier feels that they need to improve the depth in that position.

Collier could not reveal the name of the forward but said: “We have put in seven days for a striker who is currently playing our league.

“Hopefully the paperwork will go through in the next 24 hours or so.

“He has got pace and he has got aggression.

“He has been at pro clubs, so he knows his way around.

“He is a player that has done particularly well against us the couple of times we have come up against him.

“Holgate was struggling on Saturday and Sandell did play, but then he pulled out and we had to bring in Holgate a week earlier than we wanted to.

“At this moment in time they are our two first-choice strikers and Lee Phillips has done well when he has come on and Alex Ferguson can play up front.

“We are waiting for Mark Francis to get fit before we can unleash him.

“Hopefully we can secure that deal and he will add a bit of quality and strength to the squad.”

Chippenham were without Sandell and Greg Tindle through injury and lost Alex Ferguson prior to their trip to Hungerford Town on Monday through illness and it took its toll as they fell to their first defeat of the campaign.

A strike from substitute Alan O’Brien in the 80th minute was the difference between the two sides.

“I thought we were excellent in the first half, created some good chances and played all the football,” added Collier.

“In the second half they changed their shape a little bit and got lots of people behind the ball and played on the break.

“They got the one goal which always looked like it was going to win the game.

“When you haven’t lost a game of football for a long time it comes hard.”

Collier will now prepare himself for a return to Hardenhuish Park where the Bluebirds play host to sixth placed St Neots Town.

“I’ll expect St Neots to be another one in the top two or three because they have recruited very heavily in the summer,” said Collier.

“I’d expect a very tough game against them, but we are the home team and we should have no fear about playing anyone.

“The good sides, once they are beaten go on another long run and that will be our intention.”