Leiston boss Richard Wilkins admits that his side are actively looking for a goalscoring striker.

The Blues sit in eighth place before today’s trip to Metropolitan Police in the Ryman Premier Division, and are enjoying a fine season so far.

But the Suffolk side have not really had an out-and-out striker all season, something Wilkins is aware of.

“It’s no secret we are actively searching for a striker, but we are very limited to our location and the radius we can attract from,” he admitted.

“Whoever has donned the striker’s shirt this season has given their all, but like most clubs, we want a 20-plus goal a season striker, and the club are working extremely hard to try and get one.”

Attacking midfielder Gareth Heath is Leiston’s top scorer (18 goals) this season, and will hope to be on target again today, following last weekend’s narrow 1-0 defeat at East Thurrock.

Wilkins’ injury-ravaged side have been desperately short of numbers recently, but the boss welcomes back three players this afternoon.

Joe Francis, who has had an injury-plagued last few months, could feature if given the all clear from the physio, while Danny Block and Darren Mills return following slight knocks.

The introduction of Block and Mills to the squad have been an added bonus and both have performed well, something that Wilkins acknowledges.

“Both Danny and Darren have come in and done really well,” declared the boss.

“They are a little inexperienced at this level at the moment, but they give 100% and have certainly contributed to our form of late, and are welcomed additions to the squad.”

Today’s opponents Met Police are in a rich vein of form, winning six, and drawing two, of their last eight games, and sit just outside the play-offs.

Wilkins is therefore under no illusions that today’s encounter will be extremely tough, especially as Met Police have not lost at home in the league all season.

“They are the form side in the Division, but this type of game brings the best out of us,” he said.

“We really need to come away with something, we need to bounce back (from last week’s defeat), and will certainly be going for the win.”