Burnley FC boss Howe steps up striker search

CLARETS boss Eddie Howe is hoping to add a striker as one of two or three new faces ahead of the start of the season.

After allowing targetman Chris Iwelumo to join Championship rivals - and opening day opponents - Watford for an undisclosed fee, Howe has only Martin Paterson, Jay Rodriguez and Charlie Austin as recognised senior frontmen.

Steven Thompson was also released at the end of the season, and Howe admits he is short in the striking department after Iwelumo signed a two-year deal with the Hornets, after netting 11 goals in his first season following a £500,000 switch from Wolves last summer.

Howe said: “We’re working on it, we need another striker.

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“We don’t want to go into the new season with three strikers, I think you need four good strikers, so we’ll be working hard to bring one in.

“We don’t need a huge amount, but we do need two or three quality additions, and hopefully we can get them in soon because we want to integrate them with the players.

“We are close on a couple, but you can be as close as you want.

“Until you get over the line they’re not our player.

“Brendan (Flood) and I are working hard on it and hopefully we’ll get the ones we want.”