New Striker Unlikely

Roberto Martinez looks to have failed in his attempts to sign a new loan striker before tomorrow's game.

The Swans boss has just one senior striker available for Friday's home game against Chesterfield - Pawel Abbott as Trundle serves a 2-match ban and Akinfenwa is out for the rest of the season.

Roberto could either give young Chris Jones a starting place or instead go with Craney, Robinson or Butler up front alongside Abbott.

There were also rumours suggesting that we were going to sign Wigan striker David Cotteril on loan but manager Paul Jewell was relunctant to let the teenager go out on loan.

Martinez hasn't ruled out the possibility of a new striker but he says its unlikely: ''You never know, because 24 hours can be a long time in football, but I don't think we'll be getting a striker in before Chesterfield,'' he said.

''It's proving difficult to get the right person, but saying that I don't think you're doing your job properly if you bring someone in straightaway.

''We have until the deadline next Thursday, although I'm not going to sign someone just as an extra body. That's not going to be my way of working.

''We will keep searching in the hope that we can bring someone in, but if the right player is not available now we'll keep our information and look at it again in the summer.

''It's well-documented that at the moment we are very thin up front. We've lost Rory Fallon, Bayo has a long-term injury and now Lee is suspended.

''But I'm not signing someone because of those circumstances, or because the deadline is a week away. That will make no difference.''

The 33 year-old also says he's confident with the forward options he has despite having just 1 striker.

He added: ''I have got 100 per cent belief and confidence in the players I have got,''

''We have some exciting options which I can assure you are really good. I'm excited about seeing them and the supporters should be, too.

''You'd be surprised how many players are keen to have a chance up front, and I haven't got a single worry in that department.''

''Chris (Jones) is progressing very well and he's someone I have got really high hopes for.

''He is developing at the moment. He has a great attitude, but he is still learning. I'll have to see whether throwing him in right now is the right thing to do.''

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