Southend United boss Alan Little has been knocked back in his efforts to bring a First Division forward to Roots Hall on loan.

The Shrimpers chief would not reveal his target, but admitted he was desperate to add some firepower to his squad, following the depletion of his forward-line.

"Our attacking options are looking a bit thin on the ground at the moment and I'm hoping to bring someone else in to freshen us up, hopefully before Saturday's trip to Darlington," said Little.

"I've already explored one avenue which has been unsuccessful, but I'll keep plugging away."

Little's hand has been forced by a series of factors, none more so than the serious injury to ten-goal man Neil Tolson, who could now miss the rest of the season after injuring his groin in last weekend's 2-1 win over Hartlepool.

However, Little's striker search has been made even more desperate by a one-match suspension for Trevor Fitzpatrick, who misses the Darlington clash, and Neil Campbell's decision to join fellow front-runner Neville Roach on the transfer-list.

"Trevor's been banned for one game after accumulating five yellow cards, which, if I fail to bring in a new face, leaves me with two transfer-listed frontmen," added Little.

"However, if I have to go into the Darlington fixture with either Neil or Neville I would expect them to give their all, not just for Southend United, but for themselves if they want to find a new club."

The Southend manager, who has also been eyeing another hitman north of the border, said he may even bring a new marksman to Roots Hall on a permanent basis.

"This is something I have to look at and I will be weighing up my options before next month's transfer deadline - who knows what might happen?," Little confirmed.

The Blues' boss said he hoped to have definite news on Tolson's injury by the end of this week.

"Neil will be seeing a groin specialist within the next couple of days and hopefully we can get his problem sorted out as quickly as possible," said Little.

"It looks as though he's going to need an operation, which at best could see him back in eight weeks time, but realistically could sideline him for the rest of the season."

Little also revealed that right-back Martyn Booty was booked in for a visit to the operating theatre.

"Martyn's knee injury is more serious than we first thought and he's going to need key-hole surgery," said Little.

"He should be back in training within the next month."

Out of the reckoning - Neil Tolson's groin injury could sideline him for the rest of the season

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.