COLCHESTER United boss John Ward will not be rushed into recruiting a new striker, despite having a couple of knock-backs in the loan transfer market this week.

COLCHESTER United boss John Ward will not be rushed into recruiting a new striker, despite having a couple of knock-backs in the loan transfer market this week.

Ward has been trying in vain to add at least one new striker, if not two, to boost his attacking options ahead of the new season.

Speaking at this afternoon’s official media day at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, Ward revealed: “I have had a couple of knock-backs in the last two or three days, but that is par for the course.

“If I can’t get one (a striker) in, then we will go with what we have got.

“I am happy with the boys as they are at the minute, but they will need some help somewhere along the line, and I’ve got to try and get that for them.

“They were loans really, initially, trying to get a couple in if I could, to supplement rather than replace.

“I’ve not been able to do that, with one club changing its mind, which they were entitled to do.

“We have tried very hard to get a couple in this week, and I am still trying. But I won’t just jump into something and say I’ll do it, just to get one in, only for it not to work out for us.

“I got close with a couple of players this week. I tried different managers and clubs, but they changed their minds, not the players but the clubs,” added Ward.