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Striker top of wanted list

Gavin Browne
28/12/2006

JOHN Sheridan is making tentative enquiries for a striker as he bids to bolster his Oldham Athletic squad during January's transfer window.

A front man has long been the priority with Chris Porter and Paul Warne firmly established as the club's strikers for the moment.

However, should either of them suffer injury - particularly leading scorer Porter - then there is little in the way of established back-up strikers.

Sheridan said: "I've got one or two names I'll be making enquiries about. It's a hard position for me because if I did bring someone in, they wouldn't be starting because I can't leave either Ports or Warney out.

"I've got to be careful and try to bring the right player in who would understand the position we're in and who may have to sit on the bench."

Barring 'one or two niggles' Sheridan has a fully fit squad for the matches against Gillingham on Saturday and Nottingham Forest on New Year's Day.

While that may be a blessing on one hand, Sheridan admitted it is also a headache with players who may get games elsewhere left kicking their heels, waiting for injuries or suspensions.

He added: "There's people I'd like to give more games and more football to, but it's a winning team and I'm not into that idea of squad rotation. It's a winning team so why change it?

"The lads who are in are doing really well. The likes of Woody (Neil Wood), Marc Tierney and Kelvin Lomax are dying for games, so I just hope that if anyone does get an injury, they're ready to come in and I think they are.

"Stammy (Stefan Stam) looks very good in training and he's another one dying for a game. If we can't sort something out with Sean Gregan (whose loan expires on January 2), then Stammy will come back in and I'm sure he'll be OK."