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Hollins eyes new striker
By Adam Summers
Wednesday 28th May 2008
WEYMOUTH boss John Hollins has described preliminary talks
with a mystery forward as very interesting' as he continues
to step up his search for a strike partner for Stuart Beavon.
Last week the Terras lost out in the race to sign former
AFC Bournemouth forward Steve Fletcher to Crawley Town and
yesterday versatile player Matt Bailey sealed a switch to
Northwich Victoria.
Bailey spent a spell on loan at the Wessex Stadium at the
end of last season and did hold talks about becoming a permanent
fixture after his release from Crewe Alexandra but Hollins
seems to have plenty more aces up his sleeve.
He said: "What we did initially was target people and
we quickly filled the back four positions with the players
we wanted, so it is now about finding a centre forward. We
held talks with Steve Fletcher but he decided to go elsewhere
and now we are talking with other players.
"Like I said there are plenty of forwards out there
and yesterday I did speak to someone who is very interesting
but I will let people know more about him if he comes.
"As for Matt, we always said we were interested in him
but at the same time we also said if something comes up which
he feels is better then go for it. That was something we told
all the players and I now wish him well at Northwich.
"In football it is natural to receive a few knock backs
but at the moment things are looking quite good.
"I have still not heard anything from Paolo Vernazza
and Michael Malcolm and their offers are still on the table
but with every new player that comes in perhaps they won't
be there for much longer."
As well as up front, the Terras also need to find at least
two goalkeepers after releasing Jon Stewart and Dave Roberts
at the end of last season and seeing Stephen Henderson return
to Bristol City from his loan spell.
Hollins is still keen to bring Henderson back in a second
loan switch but has also admitted that time is of the essence.
He added: "Stephen has been offered a new deal at City
this week and we want to have him here but he is also another
one we can't wait around for.
"We can't wait until the games start and then be told
no' you can't have him, we have got to look after ourselves.
"He was fantastic for us at the end of last season and
like I have said hopefully he will be with us but in the meantime
we will keep looking at other options with the same quality."
* Former Weymouth skipper Simon Weatherstone has joined Crawley
Town.
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