Pressley looking for new striker

28 June 2013 09:44
Competition for Clarke

Coventry City’s beleaguered manager Stephen Pressley is keen to make additions to his squad as the start their pre-season training.

Yesterday, it was announced that eight first team players do not feature in Pressley’s plans and that they can leave the club, but in order for a recruitment drive to start, Coventry City first need to come out of administration and file their accounts so they can come out of the transfer embargo.

Pressley confirmed he is looking to add a proven centre forward to his squad to push Leon Clarke when he recovers from his injury.

Clarke scored 21 goals last term, ten in 16 games for City and 11 while on loan at Scunthorpe. While the players are due to return to Ryton for the start of pre-season training, Pressley said Clarke had been at the training ground improving his fitness all of last week as he continues to recover from ankle surgery.

Stephen Elliott has been told his contract will not be renewed and fellow striker Cody McDonald has been told he is not required at Coventry; this leaves Pressley with just two strikers at the club, Clarke and the Academy graduate Callum Wilson. Wilson will undoubtedly feature in Pressley’s teams this coming season, but he does not have the experience yet and that is why the hunt is on for another striker.

Pressley said, “Natural goal scorers are very hard to come by at every level and Leon has got a history of scoring goals, but I feel we need another centre-forward at the club. We have obviously got young Callum Wilson who we have got high hopes for but, without doubt, we need a back-up for Leon and someone to come in and push for his place, so we hope to bring that in.”

Pressley praised Clarke’s efforts and recovery, saying, “He has been making really good progress. He was out training at Ryton when I was down at the start of last week. He may not be ready to return to the group immediately but hopefully within the first couple of weeks he’ll be ready for full training.”

Pressley went on to issue a challenge to Clarke, in much the same way Mark Robins did when he signed him last January.

“I’m excited about working with him because Leon’s at the stage of his career where he’s had many, many clubs and I want him to have a hunger to be at this club and be successful at this club,” said Pressley. “I want him to have something to show for his career for his efforts in terms of medals and that is what his aspirations should be, and he could prove to be a very pivotal player for us this year. “His goal scoring record was phenomenal in this division last year and we have to hope that he continues in the vein.”

 

 

 

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/coventry-city-hope-bolster-strikeforce-4729364

Source: Coventry MAD

Source: FOOTYMAD